February is Healthy Lifestyle Awareness Month, and even if you’re young, healthy and active, this is still a good time to take stock of how you take care of yourself. While you may be focused on pushing your physical boundaries or hitting new personal bests, it’s also important to consider how your lifestyle and habits today may impact your health – and medical expenses – in the future. With that in mind, here are six questions to ask yourself:
1. Am I listening to my body?
How often do you feel a niggle during a workout and push through anyway? While it’s tempting to ignore these small issues, they can snowball into chronic ones that may require expensive treatments or even surgery further down the road. If something doesn’t feel right, address it as soon as possible to prevent this. At a minimum, take a rest day or two instead of pushing yourself further, and visit a physiotherapist or sports doctor if the issue persists. While this may involve paying a professional now, it can be far less than a more serious injury or rehabilitation later.
2. Am I taking preventative measures?
We’ve all heard the sage advice that prevention is better than cure, but how often do you act on it? When it comes to exercise, this could mean warming up properly before starting your workout, stretching afterwards, or investing in the proper gear for specific sports, such as proper running shoes if you’re taking up running. When it comes to your general health, keeping your immune system strong is always a good idea, so eat a balanced diet filled with immune-boosting foods and take supplements where necessary. Scheduling regular health check-ups can also help you prevent more serious health issues, such as high blood pressure or early signs of joint wear and tear.
3. Am I prioritising rest and recovery?
How often have you felt tired or low energy but carried on working late or attended that social commitment you felt you couldn’t miss? Contrary to what you may believe, resting isn’t lazy: it’s the best way to help your body recharge and regenerate. If you’re working out regularly, rest days are essential to allow your muscles to repair, grow and prevent overuse injuries. Sleep is also key, and poor sleep habits can impact everything from muscle recovery to your immune system or even more serious long-term issues as you get older. To prevent these, prioritise those eight hours a night; your body (and future medical bills) will thank you.
4. Am I fuelling my body correctly?
Whether you’re active because you’re trying to build muscle, get fit or maintain a certain weight, the food with which you fuel your body directly impacts your energy levels, muscle repair and overall health. Skimping on proper nutrition today could mean paying for it later with poor performance, illness, or even chronic conditions like diabetes. Focus on a diet rich in whole foods, including lean proteins, healthy fats, complex carbs, and plenty of fruits and veggies. Finally, don’t forget to hydrate in order to prevent things like fatigue and muscle cramps.
5. Am I budgeting for potential health expenses?
Are you setting aside funds for future health issues you may face? Despite the fact that you’re healthy now, accidents and illnesses can happen – even with the best prevention measures. However, you may still be studying or starting your career, so you may not have much extra cash available. To ensure you can cover any unexpected medical expenses, joining a medical aid like Fedhealth can be a lifesaver. Specifically for young people, their flexiFEDsavvy plan is a super affordable, customisable hospital plan that provides good hospital cover should you become ill or be in an accident, as well as a day-to-day savings backup plan that you can activate should you need to cover any out of hospital expenses. Having this kind of financial buffer can give you peace of mind that you’ll be able to get quality medical care when you need it most.
6. How’s my mental health?
We often focus so much on our physical health that we neglect our mental well-being, but the two are deeply interconnected. Are you managing stress effectively? Are you practicing mindfulness? Are you taking time to relax and recharge mentally? Chronic stress can weaken your immune system, disrupt sleep, and even contribute to serious conditions like heart disease. Mental health challenges can also lead to feeling demotivated, which can lead to neglecting regular physical activity altogether. Investing in your mental health now is as important as any physical workout routine.
Living an active lifestyle is one of the best investments you can make in yourself, but it’s important to be sensible, too. By asking these questions and taking proactive steps now, you can minimise any health issues in the future and stay fit and healthy for years to come. Here’s to being kind to your body, listening to its needs, and setting yourself up to live your best possible life!
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