9 Healthy Tips to Help You Avoid Fatigue and Illness

There will be approximately 14.1 million people over the age of 85 years old in the U.S, by 2040, according to data from American Senior Communities. Medical advances are helping us to be able to live longer and healthier. However, taking charge of our health ultimately lies in our hands. Here are nine healthy tips to help you avoid fatigue and illness in your everyday life.

Protect Your Skin

The harmful rays of the sun can lead to skin cancer. When outdoors, use plenty of sunscreen and wear protective visors or wide-brimmed hats. You will want to apply a waterproof sunscreen at least 30 minutes before heading outdoors and reapply once every two hours. Try to keep yourself in the shade as much as possible. If you can, wear long-sleeve shirts and pants.

Get More Sleep

Getting more sleep can help you boost your energy levels and boost your immune system’s ability to fight off disease. You should try to get at least eight hours per night. Having a regular routine for waking up and going to sleep every day can be highly beneficial. Set your alarm to help you wake up at the same time and establish a nightly routine to encourage sleep.

If you have trouble falling asleep, try to stay away from any electronic devices for at least an hour before going to bed to help your mind unwind from the day. Take a long hot shower or bath and play some relaxing music. Drinking warm beverages can help you feel sleepy. If these things don’t work, you can try using over the counter sleep aids or melatonin to help you get to sleep.

Be Proactive With Potential Medical Issues

If you know that certain medical conditions are common with your family’s medical history, it’s important to get proactive in addressing them. For example, almost half of the people whose family members had varicose veins end up developing vein disease. Make sure you schedule an annual physical with your doctor to stay on top of your health and addressing issues before they become serious.

Drink Plenty Of Water

Water is essential for keeping your body healthy and strong. Our bodies are made mostly of water and we lose fluid when we engage in physical activity. This fluid needs to be replaced to prevent dehydration, which can lead to serious disease and can even be fatal. Drinking plenty of water can help reduce brain fog, boost energy levels, and flush toxins we absorb from our environment. To stay properly hydrated, it’s a good idea to drink at least eight glasses filled with eight ounces of water on a daily basis.

Stay Active

There are approximately two million children in the U.S. who have been diagnosed with a prediabetic condition associated with obesity. This creates a serious risk for cardiovascular and full-blown diabetes to develop. Exercise is extremely important to fight obesity and disease. Carrying excess weight can also make you prone to injuries. If you aren’t used to regular exercise, check with your physician to make sure that you are healthy enough to engage in strenuous activities.

If your children are typically sedentary, try to find some fun activities they can engage in. Enroll them in sports activities or take them to the gym with you. Make exercise a family activity by going on walks together or dancing along to your favorite tunes. Play some basketball or go swimming at a local beach or community pool. Finding ways to make exercise fun can encourage children to stay active for the rest of their lives.

Eat Healthy Meals

Your body needs the proper fuel to maintain optimal performance levels. Be sure to include plenty of lean meats, vegetables, grains, and fruits in your diet. It will help you feel more energetic and help you fight off disease so you can live a longer and healthier life. Cut back on sweets, alcoholic drinks, and caffeinated beverages that can cause your blood pressure to crash, which can create an endless cycle of feeling fatigued.

Get Your Flu Shot

As many as 710,000 hospitalizations have occurred since 2010 due to the flu, according to CDC estimates. Get your flu shot to help prevent you from getting sick. Maintain proper hygiene by washing your hands frequently and using hand sanitizers. Keep your distance from others that you know are sick. If you do end up coming down with a cold or the flu, stay home from work, drink plenty of fluids, and get some rest.

Deep Clean Your Home

You can help prevent illness by deep cleaning your home. Wash and sanitize commonly touched surfaces such as countertops, sinks, toilets, and doorknobs. Wash bedding on a weekly basis. Vacuum and mop floors on a daily basis. Cleaning walls and baseboards can reduce germs from developing and circulating through the air.

Get Some Fresh Air

During the winter, we spend a large amount of time cooped up indoors. This can cause us to get sick because we are exposed more often to dust mites and germs. Crack open the windows just a bit from time to time to allow fresh air to circulate. Clean and replace your air filters on a regular basis. Try to get out of the house whenever you can for some fresh air.

Use a humidifier to control humidity levels to keep mold from forming. Have guests remove their shoes before entering and keep rugs at all entrances to reduce germs and bacteria from entering your home. Houseplants can act as natural air purifiers to keep you healthier.

Following these tips can go a long way in helping you avoid fatigue and disease. If you want to live longer and be more productive, then you need to take steps to take better care of yourself. Even taking small steps can make a big difference. Taking charge of your health should be your highest priority. You only have one life to live so make it a great one!