Health and wellness are at the forefront of many people’s minds in today’s society, but there are several issues that our modern world creates. Over the last several years, there has been a shift in focus where people are starting to seek out higher quality food, fitness routines, supplements, reducing their stress and maintaining their mental health. We live in a fast-paced, sedentary culture where health and wellness have to be sought out. Some of today’s most significant health issues are lack of diet and exercise, obesity, substance abuse, mental health, environmental factors, and healthcare access.
Physical Inactivity
In a world where machines do our heavy work, cars take us from place to place, and many jobs require long hours sitting at a desk, people are not getting the exercise they need to maintain their health. A sedentary lifestyle is typical for most Americans, even if they visit a gym a few times a week. We go from desk jobs to our homes to relax and watch television. Many poor health outcomes result from a sedentary lifestyle, such as obesity, high risk of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, increased risks of colon cancer, high blood pressure, osteoporosis, depression, and anxiety. On the other hand, moving your body daily promotes your body’s metabolic functions, decreases the risk of disease and injury, reduces stress, decreases the risk of back pain, and improves mental health. And if you need some help overcoming your mental blocks, try some medication for anxiety so you can get moving.
Poor Nutrition
Another issue our modern world has created is poor quality foods. When we are constantly on the go, it is easier to swing through a drive, though, grab something pre-packaged, or even skip meals entirely and replace them with coffee. In a society where obesity is common, many suffer from vitamin deficiencies from empty calories and low-quality foods. The food industry profits more from foods that are shelf-stable and full of preservatives. Unfortunately, these foods are full of sugar and salt, highly addictive, and have little to no nutritional value, leaving people unsatisfied, craving more, and overeating. These excess calories are stored as fat, and the lack of nutrients leaves us feeling sluggish, tired, prone to illness. Choosing better foods may take more planning and determining what is good for our bodies versus just what tastes the best or what we are craving, but it is worth it in the long run.
Substance Abuse
Substance abuse has always been an issue, and while in some ways, it has gotten worse in others. We live in a culture that has adopted binge drinking norms in young adulthood, relaxed laws around non-violent drug use, high stress levels, new forms of tobacco use, and increased pharmaceutical drug usage. When someone thought of someone who abused substances, they would think of homeless, poor, or disabled people, but there has been a significant shift. People are using substances now more than ever in all stages of life to relax, unwind, have fun, or for medical purposes and then become addicted. Substance abuse was more common in men, but women have been abusing substances at comparable rates in recent years. With modern technology and the internet, substances like generic viagra are easier to access than ever online and will ship them straight to your door. While there are times when substances are okay in moderation or used for good in healthcare, they must be used with caution and restraint.
Mental Health
Poor mental health has always been around, but only in the last decade has there been more awareness and acceptance of it as an illness and part of one’s well-being. People of all ages face different life-altering traumas or stressors that negatively impact their mental health and cause them difficulty participating in everyday life. The most common mental illnesses today are anxiety, depression, and bipolar disorder. Thankfully there are medications and lifestyle changes you can make to help heal and cope through everyday life. Choosing to ignore your mental health can be detrimental to yourself and those around you and lead to self-harm or suicide. There are open hotlines, counseling services, and different medications and supplements to help you through dark times. If a person is not interested in taking pharmaceutical drugs, there are plenty of natural options such as hormone balancing supplements or CBD to help calm you. People are also using some of these options for their pets through pet cbd. It will help them stay calm and regulate their emotions. Another great tool to balancing mental health is self-care and feeling good in your skin, which can be achieved through quality acne skincare.
Environmental Quality
When you hear “environment,” you may think of air quality, drinking water, and environmental health factors. Still, it is also the crime rates, access to fresh food, and poor living conditions. The air quality in big cities is inferior to its surrounding areas due to increased traffic, buildings, and factories, so that is something to keep in mind if you live or work in a large city. When it comes to drinking water, many people do not realize how much of a luxury it is to have constant access to clean water. Many places in this country do not have access to clean water. Water is a necessary part of our daily lives for drinking and personal hygiene. Another issue for many is they live in an area where crime rates are high, and it is dangerous to be outside to get exercise, and there are no safe parks or recreational areas. These are usually in low-income neighborhoods where crime and drugs are prevalent. Many inner-city areas are also called food deserts because they have little or no access to fresh foods. Another aspect of low-income affecting areas is poor housing conditions, affecting one’s hygiene and overall health. All of these things are significant concerns and affect many people’s general health and wellbeing in cities all over the country.
Access to Healthcare
There have been more efforts and policies put into place trying to get healthcare for people of all income levels and in smaller cities where healthcare is minimal or nonexistent. However, their low-income are still large groups of people who cannot receive the care they need. Many people may have access to emergency care but not to a primary care doctor or preventative medicine. Many diseases are easily curable when caught early with routine screening, so those unable to get this care will suffer more than those without access to a full range of healthcare.
A Complex Issue
We live in the most advanced technological age with new studies, research, and solutions to many challenges people face. Still, our modern world also creates issues that hinder people’s health and wellness. Most of these issues can be addressed by each individual making health choices and seeking out wellness. Some of these are harder to solve and may never be perfect. However, as a culture, we are more mindful of people’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing which is a step in the right direction.