Tips to Create Your Personal Health Care Plan

“Healthy habits and regular check-ups are  the best way to add years to your life and life to your years,” said Catholic Health Chief Medical Officer Jason  Golbin, MD, MBA.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 60% of illness and quality of life are related to lifestyle choices. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can reduce the risk of developing illnesses like diabetes, heart disease, obesity and cancer.

Here are five tips to help develop your personal health care plan.

Tip 1: Commit to healthy eating 

• Get more fruit and vegetables into your diet. 
• Have fiber cereal for breakfast. 
• Have more salads for meals. 
• Have fish for dinner at least twice a week. 

Tip 2: Commit to healthy sleeping 

• Get a minimum of seven hours of sleep each night.
• Keep the same bedtime every night; it conditions your body to fall asleep on time.  
• Close the shades to block moonlight or streetlights.

Tip 3: Commit to regular exercise 

• Start your day with a brisk 20- to 30-minute walk.
• Do another walk midday; then one more after dinner.
• Do some form of resistance training twice a week.

Tip 4: Commit to brain food 

• Set aside time for daily reading.  
• Take a night class in something that interests you.
• Engage in healthy conversation with people who  matter to you. 

Tip 5: Commit to a long-term relationship with a primary care physician (PCP)

Your PCP partners with you to preempt conditions like diabetes and heart disease or catch them early enough to reverse course.  

• Tell your PCP about your health issues and medical history. 
• Construct your personalized “well care” strategy.
• Get regular screenings to monitor your health. 

Find Care at Catholic Health

Catholic Health makes it easy to find a PCP with convenient locations across Long Island. Call 866-MY-LI-DOC (866-695-4362) to find a Catholic Health physician near you.

Learn more about our primary care services.