Areas of Your Health You Might Be Neglecting

In our busy, hectic world, it’s easy to neglect certain aspects of your health. Many people feel they just don’t have time to take care of themselves. Here are three areas of your health you might be neglecting, and why it’s important to pay more attention to them.

Not Enough Sleep

For many people, sleep is a luxury that comes only after a long day of work. But sleep is actually vital for a person’s physical and mental health. There are a number of negative consequences of not getting enough sleep. These include sluggish brain cells, impaired cognitive function, weight gain, stress, depression, heart disease or failure, diabetes, and low libido. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 30% of Americans get too little sleep. For optimum sleep health, aim for seven to eight hours of deep sleep every night.

Dental Health

Dental health is incredibly important. Healthy teeth are often taken for granted and treated poorly, eventually causing a number of health troubles. Make sure to see a dentist regularly for a check-up and cleaning (dentists usually recommend coming in once every six months).

You should eat foods that have a positive impact on your dental health. For best dental health, reduce your sugar intake (especially candy and sugary drinks), and eat calcium-rich foods. Fruits and vegetables are also great choices for optimal dental health because they contain high amounts of water and fiber, helping to clean your teeth.

Mental Health

Mental health has recently been receiving more of a focus as an essential part of a person’s health. However, despite the increased awareness, many people still neglect their mental health, seeing it as less important than other aspects of their health. People may not realize that good mental health is a key factor in creating a happy, meaningful, and successful life. Most doctors recommend that everyone see a mental health professional at some point in their lives. A professional counselor can help you deal with life’s painful challenges, control unhealthy behaviors, manage negative emotions, find hope during tragedy, and deal with distressing suicidal thoughts.

Make time to start getting more sleep, taking care of your dental health, and addressing your mental health. There are countless benefits that will come as you stop neglecting these three important aspects of your health. As you get enough sleep, take care of your teeth, and make time for mental health, you’ll feel healthier, happier, and better equipped to tackle all of life’s challenges.

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