Nanny to Mommy

They always say that prevention is better than cure, and they say that for a reason. When it comes to your health, prevention is something that you can work on. There are always illnesses that cannot be avoided and yet there are things you can do to slow down catching those illnesses. We’ve been in the pandemic the best part of three years, which means that you’re probably very well versed on how you can prevent germs from getting into your body. You know that hand sanitizer and masks could work, and in some cases a vaccine is probably a great idea.

When it comes to looking after your health, it’s so much more than striving for straight teeth or excellent eyesight. You have to make sure that your body feels good so that you can move well. When you understand how to look after your health, you’re going to be in a much better position to be able to feel good day to day. Here are some of the ways that you can ensure that you are on the road to better health.

- Look after your hygiene. Half the battle in preventing illness is to prevent germs and bacteria from getting into your body. This means washing your hands when you use the bathroom and before you eat your food. It means showering regularly and it shows that your body is clean. Good hygiene can really prevent the spread of certain diseases and certain illnesses. So, make sure that you wash your hands.

- Make sure that your water supply is safe. You need to have sufficient clean water to be able to clean your home, eat food, stay hydrated and ensure that you avoid illness. Unsafe drinking water actually causes over 1 billion cases of diarrheal disease every year. There is so much that you can do to slow down the onset of illness, but you need to have safe drinking water to prevent that from happening.

- Look after your diet. Health is not just about sickness. You want to be able to feel good in your body and that means looking after what you eat. A balanced diet packed with fruits and veggies, proteins, fats and carbs, will help you to feel good day to day. If you ensure that your diet is good, then you have the right vitamins and minerals that help the building blocks of your body to continue to grow.

- Keep your body moving. Physical activity every single day will help your body to move and feel more supple. If you want to look after your health, you’ll be able to see that exercise impacts your sleep, helps you to stay mobile and stops you from feeling achy day to day.

- Maintain your oral health. Over time, oral health issues can weaken your immune system. In addition to daily brushing and flossing, be sure to visit your dentist every six months for cleanings. This will keep your smile healthy and give your dentist an opportunity to catch small issues before they become bigger problems.

 
Sometimes our mental health and oral health intersect. Nearly 20% of the U.S. population suffers from bruxism, which is the unconscious grinding and clenching of the teeth. If your dentist notices signs of this wear, they may suggest wearing a night guard to prevent further damage.

- Get a good night of sleep. One of the easiest ways to feel healthy is to make sure that you are sleeping for between six and eight hours every single night. Sure, it’s not always easy with children and a job, but if you can try to put yourself to bed at a decent time, you’ll be able to get into that pattern and feel more rested.