Whether it’s due to a lack of money, insurance, or simply the fear of visiting a doctor, thousands of U.S. citizens avoid regular health checks. A 2019 study shows that only 85% of Americans visit certified medical professionals at least once a year. The reason we say only is that the rest count up to almost 40 million adults. Yep! Just under 40 million Americans are unable or ignore their health every year. And in all honesty, that’s alarming.
We’re not going to get into reasons why some don’t have access to health check-ups. Regardless of how important that is, this text is simply not about that. Instead, we’ll focus on those who can afford to have a healthy life but choose not to. We’ll dive deep into the effects of ignoring your health in the hope of raising your awareness about preventable diseases and conditions. So, let’s jump into it, shall we?
You Experience Random Body Pain
There are many reasons why one might notice random pain or think something is awry. What’s more, it can happen while you are out there doing ordinary activities like walking or sitting in class or at work. Of course, they’re more common among people who tend to neglect their health, and as such, they should be clear signs that it’s time to visit a doctor.
When you notice any sort of symptom, the first thing to do is rest so that you can relieve the pain. After all, pain is just a way for our body to tell us that there’s something wrong and that we need a break. However, if the aches persist, there’s no other way than to visit a doctor and have them check your body from head to toe.
You Will Have Less Energy
It’s no secret that health and energy go hand-in-hand. You won’t see people who suffer from underlying conditions running around and completing their daily chores with vigor. Actually, you won’t see them at all, as they’ll be lying in their beds. Still, it’s not just about being physically active. The effects of neglecting health best show off in poor mental performance, which later turns into both private and professional issues.
From issues with focusing and sleeping to anxiety and depression, health problems manifest in numerous ways. As such, they affect all aspects of our lives. Even the simplest of activities become hard, so we begin to skip them. And in the longer run, it all comes down tumbling like a house of cards. But you can improve your energy levels if you visit a certified nutritionist, for example. They can come up with a healthy diet to get you back on track in no time.
Mental Health Starts to Depreciate
Since we’ve mentioned anxiety and depression as effects of what happens when you ignore your health, we should elaborate on it a bit more. Namely, mental and physical health are in a strong coalition. One can hardly exist without the other. So, if you ignore physical symptoms, you can bet that your mind will not like it. But the worst part is that once they do occur, anxiety issues and depression are hard to beat.
The saddest part about all this is that more than half of the people who suffer some mental illness don’t seek help. Due to whatever reason, they try to fight it on their own, and that usually ends badly. A common scenario is that the stress from battling a mental illness turns into physical issues like some form of heart disease, high blood pressure, and even diabetes. Either way, it all comes down to neglecting overall health.
Skin Breakouts Happen More Often
The simplest yet very effective way to take care of your body is to have a healthy diet. And no, we’re not on about expensive foods that only the rich can afford once a month. Namely, you should target superfoods, as some call them, and you’ll quickly realize how beneficial they can be for your overall health. These include the likes of goji berries, green veggies, beans, cheeses, plates of seafood, and many more.
However, the effects of neglecting superfoods can be quite severe. They often manifest in skin problems such as pimples and acne. And although you might think this is aimed towards teens who usually have these problems, you’re wrong. These skin issues can be behind even more trouble in the form of allergies and dangerous infections. So, skip processed foods, meals on wheels, and soft drinks, will you?
Senses Become Weaker
Another issue that people who neglect their diet have is an issue with at least one of their five senses. For example, not drinking enough water will result in an all-around poor eye-sight. The reason is that almost 80% of our eyes are water, and they need it to lubricate themselves with tears. But what about other senses?
- The lack of folic acid and vitamin D that you can find in the likes of eggs, broccoli, and apples results in bad hearing.
- You can improve your smell by eating foods rich in zinc (sunflower seeds, pecans, lentils) and avoiding much-processed food and milk.
- Vitamin A in superfoods like strawberries can positively affect your skin’s nerve endings, meaning touch.
- When it comes to taste, the only way to improve it is to consume enough fat. The best way to do so is through butter.
Unstable Sleeping Schedules
Lastly, we need to mention that a bad diet has a negative impact on how you sleep. In fact, it can cause chronic sleep deprivation. And when you don’t get enough rest during the night, it often leads to a myriad of other health issues. But you can avoid all this by including superfoods in your daily meals. Some of them include the following:
- Almonds
- Kiwi
- Walnuts
- Tart cherries
- Fatty fish
- Lettuce