World Health Day 2020: Top 5 Healthy Habits to Adopt & Health Check-Ups to be Done amid Covid-19

Today is World Health Day which is celebrated every year on 7th April. For the year 2020, the theme for world health day is to support nurses and midwives. It recognises the important role of nurses and other health workers. In this article, we will inform you about the most immediate need for one and all i.e. to be physically, mentally and emotionally healthy. As today, the world fights against the Covid-19 pandemic there is no bigger issue than health. We all must promote healthy living.

A healthy lifestyle and diet plays vital role to control the risk of several diseases. Some simple changes can help to boost your overall health. Regular health check-ups are a must to prevent various health issues.

Top 5 healthy practices you must adopt on this World Health Day 2020:

1. Maintain a balanced diet

Diet affects health in several ways. It must include plenty of nutrients, protein. Don’t forget that you are what you eat. So, choose your food wisely.

2. Healthy weight

You must make healthy choices when it comes to food so as to avoid obesity. Do regular exercise and maintain a healthy diet so as to keep a healthy weight. Stay fit, stay happy!

3. Mental health

Don’t just focus on your physical health but take care of your mental health too. Do meditation, yoga or breathing exercises so that you are stress-free.

4. Avoid smoking

Smoking doesn’t only affect your lungs, but it has more negative impact on your physical as well as mental health. First try to quit it yourself, follow strategies to quit smoking, if also you are finding it difficult then seek medical help.

5. Drink more and more water:

Make water as your most important drink of the day. Avoid drinking too many colas, carbonated drinks or caffeine as you only gain weight by these drinks. Drink more of green teas, herbal teas, lemon water or detox water.

Apart from adopting a healthy diet you must also go for routine check-ups and these important tests:

Health check-up for heart:

Get your blood pressure, blood tests, cholesterol levels, ECG and blood triglycerides checked. High levels in them may indicate an increased risk of different health problems, such as heart disease. You must also ask your doctor to check your Body Mass Index (BMI) and waist measurement in every two years. Higher risk people must get their weight checked more frequently.

Diabetes check-up:

These tests include a fasting blood sugar level test & HbA1c which measures the average of the last three months’ sugar readings, and is more dependable. According to your risk level, you will need to be tested annually or once every three years. Be aware of your family history of diabetes, overweight or obesity, smoking, sedentary lifestyle, women with history of diabetes in pregnancy and in women with history of polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS).

Bones health test:

Growing age is an important risk factor for osteoporosis in both men and women. A bone density test will help to determine the health of your bones. Generally, people over 50 years of age should be regularly assessed to get their bone density test done.

Women health checks:

Cases of breast cancer are very common among women between the age group of 15 to 80 years. Women, after 40 years of age must get a Pap Smear done to check for cervical cancer. A breast screening mammography is adviced for women after the age of 45. The ones who have a family history of the diseases are at a higher risk. The tests are recommended between the age of 35-40 years which must be done every 3-5 years.

So now, let us all take a pledge on this World Health Day 2020, to make all necessary changes required in our lifestyle so as to have a healthy and happy life.

Disclaimer: The above content provides generic information only. You must consult a specialist or your own doctor for further information. Krishi Jagran does not take any responsibility for this information.