How to start taking better care of your health

How to start taking better care of your health

Taking care of your body is essential to maintaining good health and wellbeing. Now more than ever, people are more inclined to notice when something doesn’t feel quite right with their health and turn to medical professionals for advice and to try and prevent potential health problems from deteriorating. 

You don’t have to wait until a certain age to start looking after your health, and you don’t have to wait until you are unwell to take action either - you can start looking after yourself right now to ensure your body is in the best health it can possibly be. 

A head-to-toe MOT health check

Whether you are experiencing symptoms of something minor such as a cold or something more concerning, it’s important that you know what to look out for and what to do when you experience any symptoms. 

Carrying out a regular head-to-toe MOT health check can help you understand your body more and becoming familiar with your body and what looks and feels normal to you can make it easier if you do notice something that doesn’t seem right. Being aware of different symptoms and what they could possibly be related to can also be beneficial.  

So how can you do a head-to-toe health check at home? The idea of this health check is to start from the top of your head and feel all the way down your body to see how different parts feel, or if anything stands out as unusual. By doing this regularly, you will know when something has changed. 

You can assess your eyes, ears, mouth, and even your scalp. Don’t forget to take note of symptoms that are not visible, like congestion or pressure in your ears for example. 

Work your way down your body, checking over your neck, shoulders, chest and back. Remember that your upper torso has vital organs like your heart and lungs, and it’s important to look out for any symptoms that may be affecting these. 

Next, you can check over your lower torso for symptoms. If you do notice any unusual symptoms with your stomach, bowels, bladder or reproductive organs, speak to a doctor. 

Don’t forget to check over your legs, arms, hands, feet, muscles, and even your skin. This will ensure that you have covered the majority of your body for any signs of health concerns. 

When to speak to a medical professional

If you do have any concerns about your health, try not to panic but remember it’s always best to consult your doctor or a medical professional who can assess you properly and provide you with advice and the correct care. Remember to consult the correct specialist who can appropriately treat your issue; seeking a back chiropractor to address any back pain could alleviate symptoms quicker than you might expect.

Try not to put a visit to the doctor off if you do have health concerns as the sooner you speak to a medical professional, the sooner you can be treated. If you are aware of your symptoms you can find plenty of NHS sources online, or by calling the NHS on 111. Another option is your local pharmacy which you can consult for advice if you have any symptoms.