Live Well Blog

For some, getting an annual physical, stepping on the scale, tracking how much water we drink and logging meals in an app are part of what we do to monitor our health and maintain healthy behaviors. But what do we do to check on or maintain good mental health?

Are you taking medications as prescribed? Four in 5 American adults take at least one prescribed medication per week. Unfortunately, many don’t take their medicines properly. Taking medications as prescribed by your doctor is known as medication adherence. This includes getting your prescriptions filled, taking the medications at the right times and understanding the directions.

The moment you get that scratchy feeling in your throat, you know what’s coming: You’ve caught a cold or maybe even the flu. But which is it, and how should you handle it? Here are some tips to help you diagnose and treat your illness.

Few things are as important as a good night’s sleep. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says adults should get at least seven hours of sleep each night. This is because sleep allows your body to recharge and repair itself. Getting enough sleep can ward off a host of diseases and improve your mental health.

Parenting is a big job. You may want to keep your child isolated so you know he or she is always safe and healthy. Thanks to immunizations and health screenings, you can keep your child protected.

When life gets busy, we can neglect our health without thinking about it. No matter how hectic your schedule becomes, it’s vital to keep getting routine health screenings.

We already know the keys to keeping off excess weight are diet and exercise. The secret to success is finding something that works for you and sticking with it. There are countless fad diets and trendy workout programs to choose from. But if you don’t enjoy them, you won’t keep up with them for the long term.

Could you have prediabetes? Having prediabetes means that your blood sugar levels are higher than normal, but they are not yet high enough to be Type 2 diabetes. According to the American Diabetes Association, 70 percent of people with the disease will progress to full-blown diabetes if it’s untreated.

Our heartbeat gives a rhythm to our lives. It is vital to take care of your heart health to keep that rhythm going. Heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death worldwide. It also can cause disability and reduce quality of life. The good news is that small things can have a big impact when it comes to your heart health. Taking medicine as prescribed, getting routine checkups and making healthy choices can keep the beat — and your heart — going strong.

Everyone can benefit from prevention. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, routine preventive care can help you stay healthy and catch problems early. Making healthy choices is also a key part of prevention and can lower your risk of many diseases.