The healthcare reform bill has been passed, yet the nation is still divided over its efficacy, both in the long and short term. We’re still wondering if it’s procuring a personal healthcare policy is going to be easier than before as Obama promises it will, or if it will still be the uphill and often impossible climb that most of us have faced before. We’re not sure if those who really need healthcare insurance are still the ones who are going to be denied it or who have to pay the most for it. But even so, there are some things we can do to saveguard our personal health, because no matter what the national healthcare policy decides, your health is in your hands and prevention was, is, and always will be better than cure.

• Start focusing on health when young and in your prime: Most of us are in the habit of bolting the stable door after the horse has bolted ‒ we tend to start caring for our health only after we’ve lost it through a hedonistic and sedentary lifestyle that focuses on eating, drinking and making merry. We put junk in our bodies, don’t exercise, smoke drink, and lead stressful lives  ‒ all measures that lead to the deterioration of health. If we really care about our health, we need to start looking after it when we’re young and in our prime. It’s easier to maintain a good thing rather than to have it repaired after it has gone down the drain. So eat right, exercise regularly, avoid smoking and boozing, learn to relax, and get on the road to good health from a very young age.
• Continue to nurture it: The ages between 30 and 45 are your sort of twilight years; remember how hard it is to drive during twilight hours when the light is neither too dark nor too bright? Well, getting from 30 to 45 is pretty much like navigating roads in your car during these hours ‒ you need to be extra careful because you tend to put on weight more easily, your immune system is not as robust as it used to be, and you find that you must eat less than before since your metabolism slows down considerably. So take adequate action and continue to nurture your health if you want to avoid disease and its associated complications.
• Take adequate preventive measures: And finally, if you’re at risk for hereditary diseases because of your genetic makeup, ensure that you take adequate precautions to prevent the onset of ailments like diabetes and heart disease. These can be prevented by leading an active lifestyle, getting enough exercise, eating right, and monitoring your health regularly. When you know what your body is at risk for, it’s easier to maintain good health.

So as you can see, your health is in your hands; it’s up to you to take charge and get it on the right track.