Playing an active role in your wellness journey is one of the most important components of a healthy lifestyle. When you prioritize your health, you not only align your brain-body pathways, but you also acquire a forward-thinking mindset that, in turn, motivates you to take preventative measures and become the best version of yourself.
By monitoring your health every day, you can adjust to your body and be responsible for your health goals. There are several ways to keep track of your wellbeing.
To begin with, you can regularly assess your mood and stress throughout the day. This gives you the opportunity to learn more about your emotions and physiological responses.
A common question patients often ask is, “How do I know what to focus on while monitoring my health?”
Although everyone’s health goals are different, the most important thing is to focus on aspects that affect your daily life, such as: B. Your food choices, exercise regimen, and mental health.
For example, pay attention to the amount and types of foods you eat, as well as your fluid intake. Limit your consumption of fried or high-sugar foods and instead provide your body with nutrient-rich foods, including whole grains, fruits, and vegetables. Rate how often you do physical activity – do you increase your heart rate for at least 30 minutes five days a week?
For those with high blood pressure, it is important to take your blood pressure at least a few times a week when you are calmest to measure how your body is working – an ideal blood pressure is generally 120/80.
If you want to track your activity with numbers or data, consider using apps, logs, journals or monitoring devices for real-time tracking. Whether you’re jotting down your steps, calories, blood pressure, glucose levels, or even your thoughts, there are tons of strategies you can use to put your wellbeing first.
Managing your health is a constantly evolving process. Regardless of what stage of your life you are in, it is important to recognize when your body is in need. If you experience pain, sweats or chills, fever, loss of appetite, unintentional weight fluctuations, newly discovered dislikes, or new symptoms related to certain diseases or conditions, don’t be afraid to see a doctor.
To gain more control over your health, see your GP at least once a year, even if you are feeling fine. From children and adolescents to adults and the elderly, people of all ages can benefit from annual medical visits. For example, your PCP may assess your health risk, perform a physical exam, order blood tests or other screening tests to identify possible abnormalities, or direct you to an appropriate specialist for further evaluations.
At DuPage Medical Group, we are committed to providing our communities with the best possible care. In the strange times we currently live in, DMG places great emphasis on creating safe health experiences so that patients can have lifelong relationships with providers they can trust.
Even if DMG is too busy or can’t get to the doctor’s office, it also offers telemedicine visits so that a doctor is just a click away.
Regular medical care is necessary for you to thrive. Even so, it’s perfectly normal to feel anxious or embarrassed during an appointment. Remember, you and your care team are working together to reduce the fear of medical appointments. The more you share or ask, the more conversations and feedback you get in return. As the patient’s advocate, your health team is trained to guide you through your customized wellness journey so you can have the best quality of life possible.
To have informative discussions at your appointment, if necessary, create a list of questions or topics before your visit. During your meeting, relax, be honest, and openly share your history, symptoms, and concerns. If you are as open and honest as possible, you can fully maximize your visit and reach your maximum health potential.
After your appointment, you may receive an “Post-Visit Summary” listing your supplier’s orders, vital signs, and medication. Read this summary and contact us with any questions or concerns.
Digital tools like MyDMG Health, DMG’s mobile app and the MyChart website can also be helpful as they allow online access to your medical records and test results, allow you to conveniently log notes, request medication refills, appointments to agree and send a message to your care team.
Medicine can be described as a one-way street. Therefore, you need to communicate with your team to work together to create a personalized plan. So choose practitioners you can count on and have access to. While healthcare professionals as a patient can make suggestions, encourage lifestyle changes, and prescribe medication, ultimately you are in the driver’s seat to steer your health in the right direction. Taking care of your health is the key to longevity and quality of life. After all, if you don’t try, you will never find out.
• DuPage Medical Group is the largest independent group of medical specialists in Illinois with more than 750 GPs and specialists in over 100 locations in suburban Chicago. For more than 20 years, DMG has focused on improving health care for its patients and communities by delivering high quality, compassionate health care. As a doctor-led organization, DMG doctors work together – using cutting-edge technology and innovative treatment options – to ensure that every patient receives accessible and efficient healthcare. More information is available at www.dupagemedicalgroup.com.
