Your health and wellness survival guide for 2018- top tips for keeping your family healthy this year

Is your New Year’s resolution to keep yourself and your family healthy and well in 2018 and beyond? We want to help you to achieve just that and have complied an easy to follow survival guide to help kick start the year and keep your health and wellbeing on track this year.

1. Stay connected

Feel like old friends (or family) have fallen by the wayside? It’s good for your health to reconnect with them. Research suggests that people with strong social ties live longer than those who don’t. Social interaction is highly positive for emotional wellbeing and happiness, reach out to your friends and family today.

2. De-stress

It can be easier said than done but minimising your stress levels is directly correlated to overall health and wellbeing. A stress- free family is a happier one, if you need help with effectively managing stress, please contact your GP, they are here to help.

3. Eat and drink well

A balanced diet for the entire family that is consistently maintained is a high priority for achieving and maintaining optimal health and wellbeing. Eating right doesn’t have to be complicated, forget the fad diets and instead adopt a healthy eating plan including a variety of fruits and vegetables, lean proteins, whole grains, and low-fat dairy.

Drinking plenty of H2o and watching alcohol consumption are also key fundamentals to maximise vitality.

4. Ensure family immunisations are up to date

Immunisation is one of the best ways to protect yourself and your children and remains the safest and most effective way to stop the spread of many of the world’s most infectious diseases. Today Australian children must be immunised to receive relevant government incentives. There are many tools to help you keep on top of this, try the ‘Save the Date to Vaccinate’ app.

Are you and your children up to date with your immunisations? Visit your GP today.

5. Check your skin

Skin cancer checks are an essential way of keeping on top of your health. Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancer in the world. About two in three Australians will be diagnosed with some form of skin cancer before the age of 70 with skin cancer being the most common cancer diagnosed in Australia. We provide skin cancer clinics for our patients, book an appointment today!

6. Be aware of relevant vaccinations for your family

Shingles

Did you know? 1 in 3 people will develop shingles in their lifetime. FREE vaccinations are available for people aged 70 – 79 years.

Shingles is the reactivation of the chickenpox virus and is a common condition with risk and related complications increasing with age. 97% of adults have the virus that has shingles within them and there is no way to predict who will develop shingles, when the virus will reactivate, how severe it will be and how long the pain will last.

Learn more about shingles here

7. Be travel health conscious

Planning a trip in 2018? Travelling overseas can be an amazing experience, but it can also expose you to potentially serious health risks. read our travel health tips here for everything you need to know to ensure a healthy trip.

8. Are you up to date with health checks

Have you visited your GP in the last year?

Have you had your blood pressure measured in the last year?

Have you had your waist measured in the last year?

Have you had your cholesterol levels measured in the last year?

Have you had your blood sugar levels measured in the last year?

Have you spoken to your GP about bowel health?

Have you spoken to your GP about prostate health?

Have you had your skin checked in the last year?

If you answered NO to any or all of these questions then please book an appointment with one of our GPs. We have male and female doctors available.

9. Quit smoking

Stopping smoking can make a significant difference to your health and lifestyle as well as those around you. It is never too late to stop smoking to greatly benefit your health. Seek support and talk to your doctor about techniques and medications that can greatly increase your chances of quitting for good.

10. Move more

Move more. Aim to get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity, such as walking, each week to assist in weight maintenance and overall health. Ask your GP for personalised assistance to help you effectively manage your weight.

Let us help you to get on top and stay on top of your family’s health in 2018!

Book an appointment with one of our highly skilled and experienced GPs today.

Download our free app today ‘high quality health care’ from your app store to book an appointment online 24/7.

www.marinersdoctors.com.au