As the Administration works on the budget in DC, we all need to realize that we have a sick healthcare system that focuses on illness vs. wellness. Health spending in the United States increased by 7.5% in 2023 to $4.9 trillion, or $14,570 per capita.
Economists tell us that these costs are unsustainable. To change the track we are on, there is a need to educate and empower people to focus on wellness and prevention to slow spending.
However, we need to look at more than just wellness. As a country, we need to examine the root cause of escalating healthcare costs within our society to learn what leads people to poor healthcare and address those needs first.
We need to help people feel loved, more at peace, and have a sense of balance within their lives. Some people will never be healthier. Some people are dying. Some people are desperately lonely. How can we help them if we don’t address these basic needs?
Failure to meet needs at any level of the hierarchy can lead to significant challenges. Unmet physiological needs can result in illness or even death. Lack of safety can cause anxiety and fear. Deficiencies in love and belonging may lead to feelings of isolation and depression. Unmet esteem needs can lead to low self-confidence. Ultimately, a lack of opportunities for self-actualization can lead to feelings of unfulfillment and stagnation. In essence, unmet needs hinder well-being and impede personal progress.
With this post, I am launching a series on topics designed to educate and empower readers to stay well and minimize their reliance on the healthcare system. I hope you will gain some helpful information that you can incorporate into your life to maintain your well-being. Staying well can help you live the life you want. If you are a community leader, consider how your community is approaching Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs and incorporate addressing these needs into your plans.
When I looked up the term “Stay well,” I found that it is a polite expression used to wish someone good health and well-being. It’s often used as a parting phrase, similar to telling someone to “take care” or “be well.”
The term can also be used to encourage someone to maintain their overall health and happiness. This is where we need to start: ensuring that a person’s basic needs are met, because if we don’t, we won’t make any progress.
Here’s a more detailed look at how to maintain good health and “Stay Well.”
- Eat a balanced diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats.
- Limit processed foods, sugary drinks, and unhealthy fats, as they can contribute to weight gain and increase the risk of chronic diseases.
- Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your body well-hydrated.
- Engage in regular exercise: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
- Find activities you enjoy: This makes it easier to stick to your exercise routine. Look for friends or make new friends who can join you.
- Reduce sitting time: Take breaks to move around, even if it’s just for a short walk.
- Get enough sleep: This is a BIG ONE: Aim for 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night.
- Establish a regular sleep schedule: This helps regulate your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.
- Practice stress-reducing techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or spending time in nature.
- Prioritize self-care: Make time for activities you enjoy and that help you relax.
- Maintain strong relationships with friends and family: Strong social connections can significantly improve both mental and physical health. Call a friend you haven’t heard from in a while. You will be amazed at how quickly you’ll pick up like old times.
- Get involved in activities you enjoy: This can help you feel connected to others and boost your mood.
- Get regular health checkups: Early detection of potential health problems can help prevent serious complications.
- Know your body’s “numbers”: Monitor blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar levels as recommended by your doctor.
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption: These habits can have significant negative impacts on health.
- Devise ways to continue to have sex as you age and continue to practice safe sex. This can help you enjoy intimacy as you age. Practicing safe sex will protect against sexually transmitted infections.
I hope this post offers a fresh perspective on Staying Well, in the hope of lowering the overall cost of healthcare in our country. I look forward to your comments and Ideas.
Have a good week
