Living a healthy life is everyone’s aim so it’s important to make the effort to remain in good health. Six out of 10 or 60% of Americans who experienced pain in the heel in the past year also had trouble performing daily activities, according to Today’s Podiatrist. Clearly, there are many issues that one may suffer from and that could have a far-reaching effect on general health. Here are some of the ways in which you can avoid common diseases and illnesses.

1. Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet

The best way to keep your health in check is to eat a healthy and balanced diet. Doing this can boost your body’s natural immunity and make it easier for you to fight off a number of infections. To this end, do your best to cook more often and you can choose what you eat and know exactly what goes into your food. If you feel motivated, you can even start a small garden from which you can harvest a majority of the vegetables that you need. This will save you money while ensuring that you add some green to your environment and therefore leave it in a better state than it was.

2. Get Active

Regular exercise is recommended for everyone, regardless of their age and other specifics. You can choose how you get active, as long as you stay consistent in order to enjoy the results. If you go to a gym, remember that you should practice personal hygiene by wiping down the surfaces that you interact with. This is crucial to do because about 35% of men admit that they don’t wipe down gym equipment after they use it. If you take these measures into account, you can get fit without putting yourself at risk of different infections, such as the flu or a cold.

3. Quit Unhealthy Habits

If you have unhealthy habits such as smoking, it’s a good idea to quit them as soon as you can. Doing this will do wonders for your current state of health and give you room to replace the unhealthy habits with healthier ones. One example of an unhealthy habit is smoking, which can not only discolor your teeth and fingernails, but that can also put you at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, and different types of cancer. Quit today and you may feel a lot better, as though you have a brand-new lease on life.

4. Maintain Proper Oral Health

While taking care of your general health, don’t forget about your oral health. Brush and floss regularly and the right way and visit your dentist on a regular basis so they can advise you on any changes you need to make to your oral health routine. This way, you can also have any potential issues found and addressed long before they get out of hand. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 40% of adults aged over 30 years suffer from periodontal gum disease. Practice preventative care for your oral health so that you can minimize the risk of something like this happening to you.

5. Sleep Well and for Long Enough

Finally, don’t underestimate the benefits of sleeping well and for long enough. This can make a big difference as far as your health goes because while you sleep, most of your bodies’ cells regenerate. Establish a good sleep routine so that you can improve the quality of sleep that you get and enjoy the benefits of doing so. Minimize screen time from your devices as well so that it’s easier for you to fall asleep.

In these five ways, you can avoid common illnesses and diseases and improve your chances of living your best life. When you have more energy to spend with your friends and family, you will realize that you gave yourself the best gift when you chose to focus on your health.