With health care reform continuing to make headlines, it can make you feel out of control.
But here are 6 ways you can shape your own health care plan and have more control over you and your family's health starting today.
Eat Well - Choose foods (organic when possible) such as fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and fish as the basis for your diet.
Limit foods that are high in salt and processed sugar.
When you snack, opt for filling but low calorie foods such as applesauce, skim milk, low fat yogurt, cheese, and crackers.
Cut excess fat from your diet by choosing skim milk, margarine rather than butter, and reduced fat salad dressings, and breads.
Maintain Proper Weight - You only have to sit in any shopping mall for 5 minutes to realize that many of us are seriously overweight, often to the point of being obese.
The extra weight puts undo stress on every part of the body.
If you think you may be pushing the upper limits of a weight that is healthy and are not sure what your proper weight should be, consult your doctor or for usually less than $20 you can consult with a weight loss company for suggestions about how many pounds you need to lose.
Studies have shown that obesity can lead to long term health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, gout, high blood pressure, and a lot of other problems that require long term medication, and medical care.
These conditions are also not very much fun to live with and will permanently change the way you are able to live your life.
Exercise - Making physical activity a way of life can change your life for the good.
The secret is to find an activity that you like to do and do it.
Walking, swimming, gardening, cycling, aerobics, weight lifting or jogging will make your heart healthier, make you feel better mentally and help you be better able to cope with life's big and little stresses.
Remember to set a goal that is well within your reach.
Start small and if the amount of time you exercise stays small, that's still better than no exercise at all.
Get Proper Rest - 6 to 8 hours of sleep during each 24 hour period is best.
Your body really does need this down time to recuperate and regenerate.
Staying well rested greatly improves your body's ability to fight off contagions on its own without the help of over the counter or prescribed medications.
Filter Your Water - A variety of water filters is available at most local hardware stores or on-line.
Installation is generally pretty straight forward for those who are mechanically inclined, or you can get recommendations from the supplier for a company that can install it for you.
Filtering contaminants in your drinking water can stop a problem before it ever starts.
Use a HEPA Filter to Clean Your Air - Many health problems have their origins in breathing airborne pollutants that are found in the cleanest of homes.
Household dust, dust mites, mold and mildew spores and pet dander (to name a few) are all well known allergens for those who suffer with respiratory conditions such as allergies and asthma.
And because many bacteria and viruses attach to these airborne particles, cleaning the air with a high efficiency particle arresting (or HEPA) filter is a proactive way to reduce the chance of colds and flu catching you.
Remember to Laugh - Find a reason to laugh every day.
Seems silly doesn't it? But laughter is a wonderful way to relieve stress.
And relieving stress improves your health and your attitude about life.
Besides laughter is contagious, and it's also free.
The suggestions in this article won't reform national health care, but if you take them seriously, you can exercise more control over your health and well being starting right now.
The old saying is still true--an ounce of prevention is worth way more than a pound of cure.