A doctor has shared the five health considerations every Aussie should think about in 2023, and they are guaranteed to make sure you’re in good shape by the end of the year.
Dr Preeya Alexander is a GP known as The Wholesome Doctor online who is based in Melbourne, and she has built up an online following for sharing her health tips and tricks.
‘These are the top five health considerations for the new year,’ Dr Preeya posted on Instagram.
A doctor has shared the five health considerations every Aussie should think about in 2023, including making sure your brain and body are okay (Dr Preeya Alexander pictured)
1. Are you up to date with the cancer screening programs you are eligible for?
The first thing Dr Preeya said you should think about is whether you’re up to date with the cancer screening programs you’re eligible for.
Whether it’s breast cancer, bowel cancer or a cervical check, the GP said that cancer screening programs ‘aim to detect nasty things a lot earlier so intervention is easier and the outcome is better’.
‘If you’re due (or overdue), now’s the time,’ Dr Preeya said.
2. Exercise is about way more than changing how your body looks
The second health consideration Dr Preeya said every Aussie should make relates to exercise.
‘Don’t forget all the mental and physical benefits of exercise – it’s good for you even if your appearance doesn’t change,’ Dr Preeya said.
The GP recommends just one hour of exercise per week to reduce the risk of depression, but said that regular exercise has even better benefits insofar as it can help glycemic control in type 2 diabetes and lower blood pressure in patients.
‘Exercise in sunlight can also help improve sleep quality,’ she added.
Aim for 20-30 minutes daily to truly see the benefits.
Dr Preeya (pictured) said you need to make sure all of your cancer screening is up to date and remember any fertility preservation options
3. Is your brain okay?
The doctor’s third point refers to your brain as opposed to your body.
Dr Preeya said you need to ask yourself is your brain okay?
‘Is your mood okay? Are your stress levels well-managed? Are you sleeping okay at night?’ she asked.
Dr Preeya said you shouldn’t ‘sit on stuff’ and should talk to a friend, GP or helpline if something’s off.
4. Remember fertility preservation options
If you’re a woman and think you might ever want to have a baby, Dr Preeya urged you to avoid leaving it until it’s too late.
‘Some people consider fertility preservation in their late 20s or early 30s (if required) and while there is a lot to consider (like cost, medical history etc), there are options available,’ she said.
If you want to talk about things and consider your options, Dr Preeya recommended people book an appointment with their GP – who may run some tests and refer them to a fertility specialist.
‘If you are considering pregnancy in the next year, don’t forget to see your GP or fertility specialist for preconception care to improve outcomes for both mum and baby,’ Dr Preeya said.
Finally, Dr Preeya (pictured) said eating the rainbow – or more fruit and veg – is key to good health; and things like tomatoes are good for this, as well as canned veggies
5. Eat the rainbow
Finally, Dr Preeya said eating the rainbow – or more fruit and veg – is key to good health.
‘Don’t forget, for adults, the recommendation is for two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables each day,’ she said.
The doctor outlined that there are huge benefits to eating more fruit and veg, namely lowering your risk of type 2 diabetes and bowel cancer.
‘A couple of extra tips: tomato counts as part of your vegetable intake and canned beans are a cost-effective way to get more veggies in your diet,’ Dr Preeya said.
To follow Dr Preeya Alexander on Instagram, please click here.
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