.jpg)
Supporting Your Health in the New Year
There are many ways to improve your overall wellbeing — and often, patients feel confused as to where they should start. Here are three main ways you can live an overall healthier and happier life in the New Year:
Improve Your Lifestyle Habits
When it comes to improving your lifestyle habits, doing so can help keep your mind healthy as well as your physical body — both of which are important for your overall health.
Some habits you can take on in the New Year to support your physical and mental wellbeing include:
- Eating a nutrient-dense diet.
- Take breaks from work often to reset your mind.
- Practice mindfulness through yoga and meditation.
- Exercise often includes weight training and cardio.
- Add vitamins and supplements to your routine.
- See your doctor regularly.
- Find a new hobby that challenges your mind.
Prevent the Spread of Disease
No one wants to start their New Year with a fever. Many common communicable diseases are preventable through proper hygiene and social distancing measures. Here are some ways you can prevent getting sick:
Wash Your Hands
Viruses, bacteria, and food-borne diseases can all be transmitted through touch — which means keeping your hands clean is vital. However, many patients still rush to clean their hands or worse, don’t clean their hands at all.
Before you learn how to wash your hands the right way, learn these important statistics on how crucial handwashing is to your health:
- Washing hands with soap and water could reduce diarrheal disease-associated deaths by up to 50%.
- Handwashing can reduce the risk of respiratory infections by 16%.
- Handwashing by every person could prevent over a million deaths each year.
- Handwashing reduces the number of people who get sick with diarrhea by 23-40%.
Now, follow these recommended steps:
- Wet your hands.
- Use soap.
- Rub palms and hands together.
- Interlace fingers and thumbs.
- Rinse your hands and dry them.
Remember, it’s important to follow these steps before and after preparing or eating food, after you use the restroom, when out in public, and when your hands are visibly dirty.
Get Vaccinated
Getting vaccinated against communicable diseases such as influenza, HPV, and COVID-19 is one of the best ways to reduce your risks of contracting a virus and becoming gravely sick.
If you are unsure what vaccines are recommended for your age or your child’s age, speak to your primary care provider for a list.
Follow Local Health Guidelines
In addition to your own personal hygiene, it’s important to stay in touch with local government health guidelines, as well as any updates provided by the CDC. This may include recalls, social distancing guidelines, and further information.
Learn the Signs of a Medical Emergency
There are many different signs of a medical emergency — from extreme chest pain to a high fever. However, these are the most common signs of a medical emergency:
- Pain in the arms.
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded.
- Sweating.
- Swollen ankles or feet.
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Fever or cough that improves but then returns or worsens.
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
- Persistent pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen.
- Persistent dizziness, confusion, inability to arouse.
- Lack of urination.
- Severe muscle pain, weakness, or unsteadiness.
- Convulsions.
- Vision loss or double vision.
Remember, if you are at risk or have a chronic condition, it’s important to remember the signs and symptoms of a medical emergency for your condition.
Emergency Medical Care in Longview, Nacogdoches, and Odessa
If you believe you are sick and are experiencing a medical emergency, don’t hesitate to seek the emergency care you need. Contact us online, call us at (903) 500-7321, or stop in for quick and effective relief or visit one of our locations in Longview, Nacogdoches, and Odessa today.
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
