8 Ways to Stay Healthy

Maintaining health seems like a second job for you? Exercise, cooking and eating the right food, taking vitamins and maintaining a positive outlook requires a lot of effort. If you do all this, congratulations. Continue in the same spirit! Everyone can try other simple and practical ways to improve their health. Here are some ideas.

1. Surrender your blood

Every year millions of Ukrainians need a blood transfusion, and the need for blood always exists. However, it is estimated that only 10% of potential donors actually donate their blood. The good news is that donating can improve your health. In a recent multi-year study involving more than a million blood donors from Scandinavia, a link was found between blood donation and a reduced risk of cancer (liver, lung, colon, stomach and throat) in men, but the reason for this connection.

Donation can also reduce the risk of heart disease in men, the more you donate blood, the less risk. Also, donorship does not harm women in any way. In addition, when you donate blood, you go through a mini-examination, as your blood pressure is checked, and your medical history is studied. What could be better than helping to save someone's life, thereby improving their own health?

[1], [2]

2. Wash your hands

It sounds simple, but maybe that's why people do not take it seriously. Frequent hand washing is one of the best ways to protect yourself from infectious diseases. Because many infections are transmitted through touching to different things - door handles, other people's hands, handrails, telephones, desktop devices and other objects that carry the infection - hand washing is important for people of all ages, especially for children. A study conducted in 2005 showed that washing hands twice reduces the risk of pneumonia and diarrhea in children.

Soap and water are all that you need, and if these things are not available to you, alcohol-based hand sanitizers can help.

[3], [4], [5],

3. Leave less

The advantage of increasing gasoline prices is that the number of traffic-related accidents has decreased, due to a decrease in the number of drivers. A recent study by Harvard University and the University of Alabama in Birmingham found a reduction in the number of car accidents that followed higher gasoline prices, and scientists predict that if the gas price is at least $ 4 a gallon, 1,000 lives can be saved.

If you drive less, it will also allow you to devote more time to healthy habits, such as walking. Try to give up driving one day a week (or at least one day a month). Walk on at least one place, where you usually get to the car.

[6], [7]

4. Get enough sleep

One day the patient told me, "Doctor, I will sleep after death." I reminded him that it could happen faster than he expects! Constant lack of sleep can make you more productive, but they will not improve your health. About half of the adult Ukrainians are experiencing various sleep disorders or are constantly not getting enough sleep.

Sleep disorders are associated with serious illnesses, such as high blood pressure and heart attack. Also, lack of sleep can cause excess weight or even obesity. Although it is best to get the required amount at night (ideally 7-8 hours), your lack of sleep can also be compensated for by a short daytime sleep or a long sleep at the weekend.

[8], [9], [10], [11]

5. Go fishing

Looking for an easy way to reduce the risk of heart attack and stroke? Eat fish. Few products can bring you the same significant benefits as fish. The use of fish only twice a week can reduce the risk of heart attack or sudden cardiac arrest, and eating fish more than once a month can reduce the risk of stroke.

The American Heart Association recommends eating fatty fish at least twice a week. It is best to choose a small fish, such as salmon, mackerel, herring or sardines. (Fried fish should be avoided, since it contains harmful fats). It is also recommended to use light tuna meat, as it contains useful fats and a lower level of mercury compared to albacore (tuna) or tuna steaks

6. Do not rely on antibiotics

If you suffer from a runny nose, sinus infection, ear pain, bronchitis or the flu, do not think that the doctor will prescribe antibiotics right away. In fact, in some cases, antibiotics can only complicate the situation. A study published in the Clinical Infectious Diseases directory showed that every year 142,000 emergency calls are associated with side effects from taking antibiotics, starting with skin rashes and ending with deadly allergic reactions.

And in the case of common flu, colds and other minor infections, such as bronchitis, antibiotics do not help much. Excessive use and constant prescription of antibiotics led to the emergence of a bacteria resistant to medications, which became a serious problem for the public health system, especially in hospitals. Your doctor must decide whether you need antibiotics. It is better to be cautious and not overestimate the importance of antibiotics.

[12], [13]

7. Get vaccinated

Protect yourself with vaccinations. Some diseases, such as tetanus, require repeated vaccinations. New vaccines have also become available, such as shingles and human papillomavirus vaccines.

Vaccinations, such as vaccination against pneumonia or an annual flu shot, also help prevent potentially serious infections. Talk with your doctor about what you need to get vaccinated.

[14], [15], [16], [17],

8. Take medical examinations

A little prevention is always the best medicine, so do not neglect the annual medical examinations. Do not delay screening tests such as a colonoscopy (starting at age 50 for most of us), a Pap smear and a mammogram (for women), a bone density test, a blood pressure measurement, a cholesterol test, and other blood tests.

Prophylaxis provides initiative and proactive actions, so take some time to your health.

[18]