At McCullough Family Chiropractic, we believe that good medical care doesn’t merely consist of treating the symptoms of illness, disease, and other disorders. In many cases, we believe that pain and other symptoms can be addressed not through drugs or invasive treatments—but through addressing lifestyle, dietary choices, and other factors that often lead to medical problems. While traditional medicine is often content to prescribe drugs or order surgeries for a variety of issues, we have seen that this reactive approach often ignores the root problems. Today, we are going to examine four habits that, if incorporated into your life, will help you live a happier and healthier life.

1) Stretch daily. As you get older, it becomes easier and easier to pull muscles, throw out your back, or experience other types of injuries. While this reality can never be completely avoided, you can dramatically reduce your risk by committing to a daily routine of stretching. If you would like specific information regarding this process, please feel free to get in touch with us!

2) Eat right. Of course you have heard this before, and it is easier said than done—but the truth is that few factors have a larger impact on overall health and wellness than the food you put into your body. There is no “one size fits all” solution for the perfect diet, but we would be glad to provide you with recommendations.

3) Get plenty of sleep. In today’s fast-paced world, sleep is often sacrificed in order to accommodate the numerous demands on our time. But failing to give your body the rest it needs can lead to a host of other problems—including increased vulnerability to illness and injury. Most adults need approximately 8 hours of sleep per night, though it varies from person to person. Do your best to get to bed early enough each night that your body can get the rest it needs. On a side note—many people today have trouble sleeping and rely on drugs and medication to give them the rest they need. This is rarely a good arrangement as trouble sleeping is generally an indicator of an underlying issue which must be addressed. Please contact us today if you’d like to discuss this issue!

4) Exercise – but exercise right. It is no secret that exercise is an essential element of a healthy lifestyle. In addition to strengthening your body, exercising regularly helps to maintain a healthy weight—which drastically reduces your risk of a variety of injuries and illnesses. Unfortunately, not all forms of exercise work for everyone—and injuries and discomfort can be the result. For instance, if you are struggling with arthritis, jogging and other forms of exercise that result in joint “pounding” are a bad idea. Instead, it would be better to focus on exercise that isn’t high-impact—like biking, swimming, or yoga.

At the end of the day, there is no way to guarantee perfect health. However, incorporating these four habits into your lifestyle will give you a dramatically better chance of enjoying a healthy and vibrant life. If you’d like to learn more, please get in touch with us today!

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