We have all heard that healthy living, including good nutrition and exercise, can help prevent illnesses, such as heart disease and cancer. While many of us listen to the fitness experts on television, or read magazines that inspire us to make healthy food choices, our daily focus on staying healthy can often get blurred by hectic schedules and busy lifestyles.
Our lives can be busy, and our desire to maintain healthy habits can often get derailed by stress, work, and family responsibilities. Whether you are currently working full-time, or are enjoying retirement with your loved ones, it is crucial that we pay attention to the simple preventive measures we can take to make the most out of our lives. Illness can take precious time away from our family and loved ones, and sometimes, it is easily preventable.
Preventing illness is one of the main benefits of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and there are some simple things we can do each day that can affect our lives for years to come.
Make exercise a priority, even if you can only commit to a little bit every day. With just 20-30 minutes, 5-6 days a week, any physical activity you enjoy can make a difference to your health. Eating meals that feed your body the nutrients it needs, including a variety of lean protein, whole grains, and fruits and vegetables, can help limit your amount of saturated fat, help you maintain a healthy weight, and give you more energy. Protecting your body inside and out includes protecting your skin, staying away from tobacco, and limiting your intake of alcohol.
As a Medicare beneficiary, you have access to wellness visits and preventive care from your doctor. Preventive services like screenings for disease or vaccination shots can put you on a path to a long, healthy life. You will pay nothing for many preventive services if you get them from a doctor or other health care provider who accepts assignment. For some preventive services, you might have to pay a deductible, coinsurance, and/or copayment. These amounts vary depending on the type of services you need and the kind of Medicare health plan you have. Staying healthy can be as simple as maintaining healthy habits and taking advantage of the preventive services offered by Medicare.
Whether you receive your Medicare benefits through Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage Plan, your coverage includes access to a physician who can help you maintain your health. Communicating with your doctor regarding your family health history, as well as any concerns or questions you might have, will help you stay healthy and active throughout your life.