Experts emphasize that maintaining overall health goes beyond just weight, and recommend focusing on the "BASICS" - Brain, Activity, Stomach, Immunity, Checkups, and Sleep. Checking in with a doctor on any changes to these areas is important, with tips including brain games for cognitive health, regular exercise to combat a sedentary lifestyle, monitoring digestive health, strengthening immunity through a balanced diet, staying current with annual checkups, and ensuring seven to nine hours of quality sleep each night.
Health experts emphasize the importance of regular preventive healthcare visits to catch or prevent medical issues early. Key annual appointments include checkups with a primary care physician, dental exams, skin checks, eye exams, and well-woman visits. Additional screenings such as Pap tests, HPV screenings, mammograms, colorectal cancer screenings, prostate cancer screenings, and bone density scans are recommended at varying intervals depending on age, health status, and risk factors. These visits and screenings are crucial for early detection and maintaining overall health, with the guidance of a primary care physician to navigate the specifics.