How much time would you guess you spend brushing your teeth in a week? How much time do you spend on your skincare routine or at the hair salon? What about time spent relaxing on the couch to binge the latest Netflix series everyone’s talking about?
All of the above are important. Caring for our physical bodies so we have clean teeth and fresh breath is equally as important as caring for our over-stimulated minds by taking breaks, whether it’s to watch TV, go out for walks, or look at fashion magazines while getting our hair cut and colored.
Now, here’s another question: How much time do you spend on your wellbeing?
Wellbeing can be described as long-term self-care. It’s all the things you do to help preserve and protect your health daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly. It’s your insurance policy that’s represented by your physical body, inside and out.
Many of us do things for our wellbeing unconsciously. But, considering how important our health truly is...well, that’s worth thinking about on a regular basis. Investing in our wellbeing should be a part of our normal routine, just like everything else we do on a regular basis.
According to the OECD Timeuse Database, surveys conducted between 2009-2017 demonstrated that the average American spends:
- 57 minutes per day on self/personal care
- 148 minutes per day watching TV and/or listening to the radio
- 44 minutes per day seeing/connecting with friends
- 251 minutes per day working
While minutes may not sound like much on a daily or even a weekly basis, it all adds up. We know that our health is our most valuable asset, so doesn’t it make sense to put more time into preserving and protecting our wellbeing? If you answered with an enthusiastic “Yes!”, then you’re ready to dive into proactive care.
What is Proactive Care?
One study of Americans 25 and older showed that only 6.6% engaged in health-related self-care each day. Proactive care is really about empowerment. It’s taking responsibility for making good choices now that will lead to better outcomes later. It’s holding yourself accountable for eating fruits and vegetables more often than you’re splurging on desserts. It’s drinking occasionally and responsibly. It’s being mindful of your stress levels and taking action before things spiral.
What are the Benefits of Proactive Care?
The biggest benefit of proactive care is the investment we’re making by doing things now to benefit our future selves. When we make smart choices about getting regular exercise and adding more vegetables to our diets, those choices go a long way towards forming long-term habits. Those habits are better for our bodies, and therefore, our immune system function.
Second, proactive care is a way to reduce our medical care costs. As Americans, we top the list for the average amount we spend per person, per year on healthcare. According to the OECD, in 2021 we averaged around $10,586.00 per person. With healthcare and prescription costs on the rise, now is time to stop being reactive and start being proactive with our health.
How Can I Be More Proactive About My Health?
Health and wellbeing are all about protecting your immune system. If your immune system is strong, it can more effectively fight off viruses and bacteria that are trying to make your body their new home. You want to keep your system in top shape to ward off these tiny invasions. According to the American Journal of Surgery, a healthy immune system also promotes better, faster healing from injury.
“The immune system plays an integral role in successful wound healing. In addition to contributing to host defenses and inflammation, immune cells are critical regulators of wound healing through the secretion of cytokines, lymphokines, and growth factors.” -Source
How Can I Boost My Immunity?
There are everyday ways that you can help your immune system become stronger.
Supporting it with healthy vitamins and minerals is a good place to start. In particular, B vitamins, zinc, and vitamin D are really important, especially during winter when we’re exposed to less sun and fewer daylight hours.
For a healthy jumpstart, get on the road to well-being with the 10-Day Immunity Power Pack. It’s got the complete lineup of bioavailable vitamins and minerals your body needs to get through the winter months: B-Complex+, L-Lysine, Vitamin C, Vitamin D3, Zinc, Detox Blend, and Recharge Blend.
3 things you can do to start proactively caring for your health:
- Talk to a Doctor
Getting a yearly physical is a good idea so you can keep track of your well-being from year to year. Ask your doctor and consider consulting a nutritionist for recommendations. They can help you come up with a plan to aim for an even better bill of health next year!
- Exercise Regularly
Exercise has a direct link with immune system health. Getting into a regular habit of moderate exercise (avoid too much intensity) has been shown to decrease the risk of illness, improve immune defense and metabolic health, and offer anti-inflammatory effects. 150 minutes a week of moderate-intensity exercise are all you need to get the numerous benefits!
- Think About What you Eat
When you eat a diverse variety of whole foods, your body and your immune system get what they need to promote healthy cell function through micronutrients. The nutrition journal Nutrients explains further:
“Some micronutrients and dietary components have very specific roles in the development and maintenance of an effective immune system throughout the life course or in reducing chronic inflammation. For example...the micronutrients vitamin A and zinc regulate cell division and so are essential for a successful proliferative response within the immune system.” -Source
Talk to your doctor and start thinking more about healthy routines and habits that will keep you feeling, and healing, well. And remember, all of those little minutes add up. If you spend more time doing what’s good for you, like exercising regularly and eating well, then you’re sure to see the positive effects of proactive care in your life. Your healthier future self thanks you!