Are you feeling a bit wrecked lately? Do you have trouble remembering to go to the doc for check-ups? Do you think your bod could use a little servicing? We get you! Life is hard enough without having to worry about how your health is going. But doing a few easy tasks to keep your mind and body in top-notch shape can make all the difference when it comes to lifelong health. With help from the folks at not-for-profit health insurance provider GMHBA, here are five super-simple ways to feel a little better about your health. 

get movin’ Very smart scientists have long said that movement is fab for your body; motion is the lotion, after all. It helps your mood, your joints and lowers your lifelong risk of problems like cardiovascular disease. But you don’t have to run a marathon to keep your body in peak condition; feeling healthy isn’t about eating the ‘right’ foods or doing the ‘right’ exercise. It’s about finding a way to wiggle your bod that feels good. Having fun is important, too. Try taking a class – in dance, yoga, speed-walking, bird-watching, or anything that gets you out of your office chair. You’ll feel better for it. 

get to know a GP While it’s common for young folks to pop in to see any ol’ doctor on deck at the local medical centre, it helps to lock down a regular GP. Forming a relationship with one doctor, who knows your medical history and is sensitive to your particular needs, could be the difference between the wrong treatment and the right one. Finding a GP who suits your personality (and who gives you all-around good vibes) always makes visiting the doctor’s office less of an icky experience. 

consider health insurance Taking good care of your health is all about prevention. That means regular visits to the doc, consistent providers and access to important extras, like dental care, physiotherapists and optometrists (who are responsible for keeping you in tip-top shape). It’s kind of like taking your car in for a regular service and an oil change; you’d rather do that than have it break down in the middle of the highway during peak hour, right? If you’re the type of person who wants the comfort and security of knowing you’re covered for all kinds of random stuff, you might want to consider private health insurance. They have plans for basic hospital cover, as well as extras like dental and optical. And, if you’re overwhelmed by all the jargon surrounding private health cover, GMHBA has a helpful guide to health insurance for newbies. They explain the ins and outs of private health care, like, what the heck is ‘excess’? What about ‘Lifetime Health Cover loading’? (We always forget, too.)

don’t avoid the dentist We’re not sure why physicians felt like they could skip the mouth when they decided to split dentistry from the field of general medicine. But since that’s been the case for yonks, you’ve got to pencil in regular appointments with your dentist. Oral health is linked to overall health, which is why it’s important to keep your gums and chompers squeaky clean. GMHBA offers dental cover, so you’re covered for regular check-ups with the dentist. 

get plenty of zzzzzs. We know; it’s so hard to get to sleep when there are sooooo many things to watch and read on the internet. Or maybe you’re an avid reader, and that thriller you picked up at the library is just starting to get juicy. You start reading at 9pm and before you know it, three hours have passed. But a good eight hours’ of sleep is one of the easiest, most natural and most necessary ways for you to keep your health in check. Make sleep a priority, and your body will thank you for it.