It is no secret that health is a vital part of life. However, with fitness and health being approximately a 159 billion dollar industry, it is getting increasingly difficult to keep up with the latest trends and unrealistic ideas of what a healthy person should look like. Most health fanatics and fitness influencers make us believe that there are shortcuts to achieving perfect health but being healthy is a lifestyle. And what better time to start working towards that lifestyle than post-pandemic. If there is anything the pandemic has taught us, it is to strengthen immunity and make healthy choices so we can battle whatever illnesses come our way.
No one knows how to boost immune systems better than nurses, as it is their job to keep peoples’ health in check. All their time is spent helping people and their loved ones cope with the disease, deal with it and even live with it. Their selflessness and dedication towards the general public are why they are forerunners of change in public health and health care. So we asked nurses from all over the country to weigh in on how people can keep themselves fit and offer their best health advice that is simple enough for anyone to follow along.
1. Have regular health checkups
There is no shortage of reputable health professionals, especially with so many applicants to online nursing programs such as this Online Program for Registered Nurse to BSN, RN to BSN Degree, Online RN to BSN Program. So there is no excuse for people to neglect their health by missing routine checkups. Regular physical exams and checkups lead to health problems being discovered early on. The earlier an issue is diagnosed, the earlier you can start treatment and recover. There are so many diseases that can become fatal if they remain undetected for too long. Physical examinations are recommended at least once a year, especially for people above 50. You should also let your primary doctor or nurse know whenever you feel unwell so that they can stay on top of stuff.
2. Spend time outdoors
Even though the CDC recommends social distancing, that does not mean that you have to stay away from the outdoors completely. As long as you are following COVID-19 safety protocol, nurses recommend spending at least 120 minutes outdoor in nature each week, according to a study conducted in 2019. It showed that people who spent between 120-179 minutes a week outside in places such as parks and woodlands reported being healthier and having higher feelings of well-being. Being outdoors improves your focus, boosts mood, lowers stress and blood pressure, and helps you age more gracefully.
3. Get proper nourishment
Nourishment using food not only keeps the body healthy physically but also keeps boosts mental health. A healthy and balanced diet helps make the mind feel more alert and improves concentration and focus. Nurses recommend eliminating sugar, refined grains, processed food, and gluten food products from your diet instead of eating whole foods that stabilize blood sugars and help control cravings. Whole foods also have a lower level of anti-nutrients, making it easier for the body to absorb nutrients from food. Furthermore, meal planning is encouraged because it helps you stay consistent and prevents you from eating unhealthy junk.
4. Stay active
There is no need to complicate exercise or spend excessive time working out. Nurses recommend adding a combination of cardio exercises and strength training to your routine for maximum results. Exercise helps combat a plethora of diseases and aids in body weight maintenance. It strengthens your heart, improves blood circulation, increases flexibility, and tones your muscles as well. Nurses suggest aiming for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. Even a small amount of exercise is better than no exercise at all. Most people have the excuse that they are too occupied to find any time for exercising. For them, nurses propose starting from 5 minutes a day and working their time up to 10 minutes and so on. They can also cycle or walk to work instead of taking the bus.
5. Catch up on sleep
Getting a good night of sleep gives you the energy you need throughout the day, but it does so much more than that. It plays a major role in maintaining good health, great quality of life, and sound mental and physical health. During sleep, your body repairs your heart and blood vessels. It also regulates hormone levels in our blood. Moreover, getting enough sleep improves learning, helps you pay attention throughout the day and gets your creative juices flowing. For all of these reasons, nurses suggest that an adult who is 18 years and older should sleep uninterrupted for 7-8 hours at night. Not only is it important to get enough sleep, but nurses emphasize sleeping and waking early for the best possible health.
6. Visit a therapist
Long gone are the days when therapy was only considered fit for the mentally unfit or treating crazy people. Therapy can help people make the best possible decisions in everyday life, which is why it is highly recommended by nurses to schedule an appointment from time to time. It helps you handle your emotions or certain situations better. Therapy can give you a new perspective on life and aids you in achieving your full potential. Moreover, most people find it relaxing, and it helps them unwind. In 2020, almost 41.4 million Americans received mental health treatment; therefore, there is absolutely no shame in attending therapy.
Final Thoughts
Nurses are the best in the medical field and have so much insight and experience, which is why it is crucial for us to pick up on the little jewels of advice that they give out for the betterment of our health. It is not only up to nurses and doctors around us to help us heal, but it is up to us to keep ourselves fit as prevention is better than cure.
