It’s impossible to prevent every illness or disease, but being proactive in looking after and protecting your body and mind can make a huge difference. It’s never too early to start putting your health first and laying the foundations for later life. In this guide, we’ll share some top tips to help you future-proof your health.
Embrace regular exercise
Inactivity is one of the leading causes of premature and preventable death, yet statistics show that over a quarter of adults and more than 80% of adolescents have sedentary lifestyles. Regular exercise offers a diverse array of health benefits ranging from a reduced risk of type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some types of cancer to a lower risk of depression, osteoporosis and dementia. Being active is also a great way to tackle stress, meet new people and boost your energy levels and mood.
If you don’t already exercise frequently, try to increase your activity levels. Start with simple goals like upping your daily step count or trying to go for a jog or attend an exercise class 2-3 times per week. As you get fitter, you can adjust your goals and experiment with different activities and sports.
Check your health status
Be honest. When was the last time you had your blood pressure checked, you had a blood test or you measured your BMI (body mass index)? If it’s been a while since you went for routine checks and tests, or you have no idea how much you weigh or what your blood pressure is, it’s a good idea to check your health status. You can arrange to see your doctor to check your blood pressure or book a health assessment from a provider like Echelon Health. If you know your height and weight, you can use an online calculator to work out your BMI and see if it’s within the healthy range. There are often no clear signs of issues like high blood pressure so it’s important to have regular tests.
Keep up with vision and hearing checks
Many of us experience changes in our vision and hearing as we get older, but symptoms can affect people of all ages. Keep up with vision and hearing checks. Seek expert advice if you do notice that you’re straining to see things in the distance or read signs, or you’re constantly turning the volume on the TV up or asking people to repeat themselves. It’s also beneficial to protect your hearing by limiting exposure to loud noises and using ear protectors.
Focus on nutrition
The word diet has become synonymous with weight loss, but watching what you eat is critical for many reasons. Nutrition should always be the focal point of any eating plan. Try to focus on including healthy, nutrient-packed foods rather than dropping weight rapidly. Fad diets often exclude food groups and restrict calorie intake dramatically, which may mean that you miss out on vital vitamins and minerals. 
It’s not possible to prevent every disease or sign of ageing, but taking good care of your health now will stand you in good stead in the future. Exercise regularly, check your health status, keep up with vision and hearing checks and prioritise nutrition when planning your weekly menu.
