Although doctors play an important part in the name of public health, there are a number of things you can do at home without the need to go through more than a decade of schooling. Not every situation constitutes a visit to the doctor’s office and by maintaining a healthy everyday lifestyle, you can easily avoid the doctor as much as possible.
With all of that said, it’s also important to remember that doctors are there to help. You should never diagnose yourself and you should always consult with your doctor if you feel like something isn’t right.
1. Develop a PERF-ect Routine
In order to live a generally healthy lifestyle, it’s smart to follow PERF. This acronym is short for Produce, Exercise, Relaxation, and Fiber. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables each day gives your body the necessary vitamins and minerals it needs to grow. Proper exercise and relaxation are both important for releasing brain chemicals like dopamine and serotonin which are two integral players in mood-boosting.
That leaves us with fiber. Fiber is a carbohydrate that the body can’t digest and helps immensely with waste expulsion.
2. Monitor Your Height/Weight
When monitoring your weight, be mindful that a high weight doesn’t always mean you are out of shape or obese. Your body size, typical diet, amount of physical activity, and a number of other factors come into play when talking about weight. Height, on the other hand, is important to measure once you reach older than 50 years. This is because problems like scoliosis are more prominent as you age.
3. Head-to-Toe Skin Checks
Having a partner or friend you trust to give you a thorough lookover is important as regular checks can help detect cancerous cells early on. Not only that, but it can also save you an additional doctor bill by checking at home rather than at a non-routine doctor’s visit too.
4. Pay Attention to Your Urine
Human urine should have a pale straw-like color. If you notice your pee is excessively dark and has a strong smell to it, it could be a sign of dehydration or another health issue. If you have dark urine, accompanied by other signs of sickness, it’s probably time to schedule a visit to your primary care physician.
5. Check Your Blood Pressure Twice Per Year
High blood pressure can be a sign of unknown health issues like heart disease. By getting twice-yearly checks, you can ensure your blood pressure is stagnant at a healthy rate rather than being too high or too low.