Whether you feel energetic and at the top of your game or drag through the day and worry about health issues, there’s always room to improve your wellness with mindful lifestyle choices.
David Leszkowitz, DO, and the White Lake Family Medicine team support women at every stage of their lives. Their comprehensive women’s health services and personalized lifestyle recommendations have helped many women prevent chronic illnesses and maintain optimal health and wellness.
They recommend five practical tips to improve physical and mental health at every age.
Did you know that your diet can prevent chronic disease? Or that after conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes develop, changing your diet is the first treatment before taking medications?
A nutrient-rich diet is the foundation your body needs to produce energy, heal, and keep you healthy. We often suggest dietary and nutritional changes that fit your life. But as a general guideline, you can take meal inspiration from balanced plans like the Mediterranean Diet and DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension).
Regular exercise strengthens your body, helps you lose weight, and does much more for your well-being. Physical activities keep your heart healthy, boost your mood, improve brain activity, prevent chronic health conditions, and prolong your life.
You know all the benefits. The question is: Do you keep a regular exercise routine or drag yourself through a routine you dislike? If so, it’s time to rethink and recharge your regimen.
You don’t need to go to a gym (although that’s great if you enjoy it), spend money to join classes, or follow a dull routine.
The best way to get regular exercise is to choose an activity you love. Aim for 30 minutes daily of enjoyable exercise like walking, dancing, cycling, swimming, golfing, or playing tennis (to give you a few examples).
You can even consider activities like gardening as part of your daily exercise. Gardening works your muscles and burns more calories than you may imagine.
Daily stress takes a toll on your physical and mental health because it raises your cortisol levels.
Cortisol is a hormone that increases your heart rate, blood pressure, and blood sugar. High cortisol tenses muscles and triggers many health problems, from depression and fatigue to weight gain, sleep disorders, diabetes, and heart disease.
Devote time each day to activities that lower your stress. A few ideas include:
If you can’t find a way to ease stress, our behavioral health specialists are available to help you overcome the issues causing your anxiety.
Connecting with friends is essential for optimal well-being. Having a close friend lowers your risk for depression, changes the way you respond to stress, and makes you happier.
Beyond being lonely, people who don’t have at least one solid friend are more likely to have a heart attack or stroke.
If you need to find a friend, look for them in activities and places you enjoy. You might want to sign up for a class, volunteer with a local nonprofit group, join a book club or find a spiritual organization that fits your beliefs.
Health screenings are diagnostic tests that find early signs of disease long before symptoms begin. These screenings include routine diagnostics and advanced tests recommended at certain times.
During well-woman exams, we provide preventive health care and perform routine screenings, such as measuring blood pressure, taking Pap or HPV tests, and running blood tests to look for problems with high blood sugar and cholesterol.
Women should have other health screenings, depending on their age, overall health, and risk factors for chronic diseases. A few examples include:
We also remind you when it’s time for health screenings during your well-woman exam.
Call White Lake Family Medicine in White Lake, Michigan, today to schedule a well-woman appointment and receive customized proactive wellness tips that improve your life.
