6 Small Changes to Promote Healthy Living

August is National Wellness Month—and while it’s hard enough to keep on top of mental and physical health when life is normal, in 2020 it can feel near impossible. Let us help you out with six quick and easy steps you can take to promote healthy living.

1. Get Moving

Gyms may still be closed in some parts of the country, but that shouldn’t stop you from feeling the burn. Having a regular fitness routine is vital to a healthy lifestyle. The best part? The world is your gym! Take your dog for a walk around the block, go hiking at one of the national or local state parks, do pushups against a bench…the options are endless. Whether you prefer getting your heart pumping by riding a bike or pumping iron, lifting cases of water when weights aren’t available, there’s no excuse not to get moving.

Physical activity has an abundance of health benefits both physical and mental. Whether you’re looking to reduce short-term feelings of anxiety, manage your weight or decrease your chances of Type 2 diabetes, getting some exercise is an easy step to take toward reaching those goals.

2. Take a Multivitamin

A daily multivitamin is a great way to fight aging, boost your immune system and promote overall healthy living. Look for options high in antioxidants, B vitamins, vitamin D and vitamin K. These specific vitamins may help fight infections, lower the risk of some health problems, and even help slow aging.

Antioxidants like vitamins A, C, E and Biotin can help to keep your immune system strong and promote healthy hair and nail growth. Vitamin B will assist in keeping your brain active and help your body change food into energy (aka boost your metabolism). Vitamins D and K will help improve your calcium levels and keep your bones strong.

It only takes a few seconds to take a daily vitamin but can provide years worth of benefits. Worried about forgetting? Set an alarm on your phone to be sure you take yours each morning.

3. Schedule Regular Checkups

A major key to healthy living is being proactive about your health. Don’t let life get in the way of scheduling your regular checkup. Getting regular checkups can help to identify potential health risks before it’s too late. Blood tests give us an idea if we are at risk for diabetes, high cholesterol and many other disease indicators. With early detection, most health risks can be treated with medication or lifestyle changes before it gets too far. Going for this simple appointment once a year can save you in the long run.

4. Hit the Pillow

Life is hectic and often it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day! With so much to get done, many find that they sacrifice precious hours of sleep to fit it all in. While this may allow for more productivity, ultimately lack of sleep can cause severe health issues making you prone to conditions such as diabetes and obesity.

Make sure to get a solid 7-9 hours of sleep each night to keep your body running optimally.

5. Taste the Rainbow

You’ve probably heard the expression “eat your greens,” but did you know that the more colorful your plate, the more nutrients you’ll receive? Colorful fruits and vegetables contain phytonutrients, which protect us from many diseases. The American Cancer Society recommends 2 1/2 cups per day of fruits and vegetables.

When you make dinner tonight, be sure to include foods of red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. Don’t worry, brown and white have their benefits too.

6. Get Your Zen On

Stress can be detrimental to your body, mood and behavior. Life is stressful, especially during a global pandemic, so it’s important to take time out to focus on your mental health. Whether you meditate, read, hike, or enjoy other activities to unwind – it’s incredibly important to have an outlet where you can let go and find relaxation.

Bonus Tip!

Download your free savings card from InsideRx.com to see if you can save on prescription medications!

At Inside Rx, we want to help reduce the stress associated with medication costs. We may be able to help you save up to 80% on both brand and generic medications by simply downloading your unique prescription savings card. Type in your medication and search for savings at pharmacies near you. You can even save an average of 75% on generic and 15% on brand name medications for your pets. For more information about Inside Rx, check out our Help section.