In our busy lives, the quest to stay healthy can all too easily fall to the bottom of the to-do list. To help, we've compiled 10 simple tips experts say can make getting and staying in good health easier to achieve.
1. Believe you can be healthy
While this tip may sound deceptively simple, studies have found that doing so can pay off in a longer, healthier life, says Karen DeSalvo, MD, professor and chief of general internal medicine at Tulane University Health Sciences Center in New Orleans. While researchers don't completely understand why, DeSalvo speculates that those who believe they can be healthy are more likely to take the steps necessary to make it happen -- and less likely to leave their health up to chance or fate.
2. Manage your medications
Do you take more than one medication on a daily basis? If so, an old-fashioned pillbox with compartments separated by day and time is still the best way to make sure you're taking your medicines as directed, says Deborah Sturpe, PharmD, assistant professor at University of Maryland School of Pharmacy in Baltimore. "It's impossible to line up 10 bottles on your dresser and remember what you've taken and when," she says. With a pillbox, you'll know if you've taken your medications at a glance.
3. Speak the same language
If your doctor speaks in medical jargon you don't comprehend, don't hesitate to ask for clarification, says David Baker, MD, chief of general internal medicine at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in Chicago. Studies show patients who understand their ailment and their treatment plan not only do better, they're also more satisfied with their care. If your doctor won't translate, consider switching to another provider who will.
