Showing Your Body Some Extra TLC

Simple Ways to Show Your Body Love & Appreciation

Love is in the air this time of year! What better time than now to show your body some love by developing healthier habits? The health experts at Parrish Healthcare are here to share some simple ways that you can show various areas of your health some extra love and care this winter and beyond.

Keep Your Hands Germ-Free

When it comes to keeping yourself and others from getting sick, practicing good hand hygiene is your first line of defense. This is because your hands are the perfect conduit for illness-causing germs to make their way from communal objects into your body through your eyes, nose, and mouth.

While washing your hands is important to keep yourself and others safe from the spread of germs—it’s only effective when done properly. When washing your hands, be sure to follow these steps:

• Wet your hands with clean, running water.
• Lather your hands with antibacterial soap.
• Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds.
• Rinse your hands under running water.
• Use a disposable towel to dry your hands or air dry them.

Use Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitizer

When you don’t have access to soap and water, it’s still important to know how to keep your hands germ-free with alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Be sure to opt for a sanitizer that is at least 60% alcohol and rub your hands together until they are dry to the touch.

Prioritize Getting Enough Sleep

When it comes to supporting your general health and wellness, getting good quality rest is essential. Although many of us are familiar with the crankiness and brain fog that follows a night skipping out on a few hours of sleep, sleep deprivation can actually leave you more susceptible to getting sick and other health complications.

Each night, aim for 7-9 hours of sleep each night to reap the following health benefits:

• Support a healthy immune system.
• Improve cognitive brain function.
• Reduce your risk of heart disease.
• Support healthy mood regulation.

Work Essential Nutrients into Your Diet

As the saying goes—you are what you eat. This is especially true when it comes to supporting your general health and wellness during cold and flu season. Try adding some of the following foods to your diet this winter to help your body fight off unwanted foreign invaders that can get you seriously sick:

• Orange
• Grapefruit
• Kale
• Spinach
• Beans
• Garlic
• Ginger
• Broccoli

Get Up and Get Active

One of the best ways to support your general health and wellness is to work in at least 150 minutes of physical activity into your routine each week. Some of the many benefits of getting regular exercise include:

• Reduces risk of developing heart disease.
• Lowers risk of type 2 diabetes.
• Decreases risk for bladder, breast, lung, and other cancers.
• Supports your musculoskeletal health.

Although many people think of lifting weights and running when they think of leading an active lifestyle, it doesn’t have to be that intense. Some simple activities to add to your routine to get your heart pumping and your blood flowing include:

• Walking
• Jogging
• Hiking
• Yoga
• Playing catch
• Doing chores around the house
• Gardening
• Bike riding
• Roller skating and rollerblading

Stay Up-to-Date on Wellness Exams

While many people find themselves seeking medical attention when something is wrong, it is important to see your primary care physician for routine wellness exams. This helps your doctor to get a baseline for what is normal for your health, what may be a cause for concern, and when you should be referred to a specialist.

There are several components to your routine check-up:

Physical Exam

During a check-up, there is a physical portion of your examination. Typically, this will include:

• Monitoring heart rate, respiratory rate, and blood pressure
• Listening to your heartbeat and lungs with a stethoscope
• Checking the eyes, nose, and throat
• Palpating your body for growths and abnormalities

Risk Factors

When it comes to a multitude of health issues, plenty of factors can leave you more likely to develop them. By monitoring your risk factors regularly, your primary care team can recommend lifestyle changes that can help you minimize your risk of developing health complications. And in the event that you exhibit signs of health issues, your primary care team will be able to refer you off for the specialty care you need at the earliest sight of an issue.

Vaccines

With thousands of Americans falling seriously ill with vaccine-preventable diseases each year, it makes getting vaccinated an essential part of your wellness routine. Although you get plenty of vaccinations during your youth, certain vaccines need to be given again throughout your adult life to maintain immunity.

When you see your primary care doctor regularly, they are able to keep track of your vaccination status and advise you when you’re due for others.

Show Others Some Love Through Blood Donation

Every 2 seconds, a patient in the United States is in need of blood or platelets. And each day, about 30,000 units of red blood cells, 5,000 units of platelets, and 6,500 units of plasma are needed to help save the lives of patients. With such a high need for blood and blood components, blood donation is an excellent way to help support others in your community.

The various ways that you can donate blood include:

• Whole blood donation
• Platelet donation
• Plasma donation
• Power red donation

Primary Care in Titusville

When it comes to supporting your health, it is important to find a family care doctor you can trust. The family doctors at Parrish Medical Group Family Medicine treat patients throughout all stages of your life, providing you with the insight, resources, and preventative care you need to live happily and healthily.

Whether you’re in need of a regular checkup or you have a health concern, contact Parrish Medical Group Family Medicine to schedule your next visit.