When we’re young, it’s easy to think that worrying about our health is something that “old” people do. If we’re under 30, then we don’t have to worry about much, right? Well, not really. It’s true that health issues like fragile bones are more likely to crop up when you’re a senior citizen, but it doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be aware of other possible problems that can sneak up and hit you anytime. If you’re going to make a checklist of health issues worth addressing before you hit the big 3-0, then start with the following items:
Schedule an appointment with your dentist.
When was the last time you went to the dentist? It’s a good idea to go at least once a year to get your teeth cleaned and checked for things like cavities. Getting the tartar scraped off your teeth is sometimes painful, but a failure to get the nasty stuff removed can lead to gingivitis. Cavities are unpleasant enough on their own, since no one likes having to get a cavity filled. If you don’t do that, however, you risk having to get a root canal later on, and those are infinitely more complicated (and expensive).
In your twenties, it’s also easy to wonder if you should have taken your dentist up on that offer to get you fitted for braces as a teenager. If your teeth are crooked but you fear having a mouth full of metal, look into an option like invisalign to enhance your smile.
See a chiropractor, even if your back isn’t hurting.
When done properly, chiropractic adjustments can make a big difference in our overall health. The trick is finding the right kind of chiropractic care. Experts say the available science clearly indicates cervical and lumbar manipulation can help treat lower back pain. There are a lot of ways for people to injure their lower neck or back. Even seemingly harmless things like sitting at a computer can cause neck strain, and the way you sleep can also mess up your back. Chiropractors sometimes have a reputation for being outside the norm, but a science-based approach can do a lot to ease your pain and make your daily life more comfortable. That’s true regardless of if you’re in your twenties or seventies.
Get outside and embrace Mother Nature.
Outdoor hobbies are a fun way to get outside and absorb some of that life-giving Vitamin D. Depending on what kind of job you have, it’s possible to spend eight or nine hours indoors in front of a computer screen. That may help you pay the bills, but it’s not going to do a lot for your mental state. There’s evidence that going outside and doing things like feeding birds can improve our self-esteem, and it also can positively impact how we view our personal health. In some cases, exposure to nature can even reduce the symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. So there’s no need to wait: go ahead and join a fishing club or bird-watching enthusiasts group. If you’d prefer to fly solo, then simply walk outside and take a long stroll around your neighborhood. Mother Nature will be happy to see you either way.
Create a bedtime routine and stick to it.
When the sun sets and bedtime rolls around, it’s vital that we actually manage to put down our smartphones and go to bed. Poor sleep is linked to depression, obesity, and other health problems. If you feel like sleep isn’t a big deal, then just talk to someone suffering from chronic insomnia or another sleep disorder. They’ll tell you that not resting well means you start off every day at a disadvantage compared to the people who got a proper seven or eight hours of sleep.
There are things you can do on your own to fight back against bad sleep, like going to bed at the same time every night and not looking at your iPhone in bed. But if that’s not enough, you’ll need to call in an expert. Look for sleep disorders care in Somerset, NJ. Most sleep disorders can be treated and/or managed. The sooner you get treatment, the sooner you’ll remember that sleep doesn’t have to be a constant battle with your body.