Taking care of your health is extremely important, but often it is more easily said than done. In the United States, healthcare can be an expensive endeavor, though it should be treated as the basic human right that it is. While there are measures in place to attempt to provide assistance to those who need it, the overall system could certainly use major improvements.
Recent developments in the pharmaceutical world have drawn attention to this issue, as private companies and individuals are able to purchase the rights to specific medications and raise the price as high as they would like. There needs to be an overhaul on healthcare as a whole, and society is becoming more and more aware of that fact. In the meantime, there are avenues that can be taken to help reduce those exorbitant costs.
Finding the right pharmacy for you and your family
Whether you are in need of over the counter medicine or you need to fill prescriptions, having access to the right pharmacy is important. Establishing a relationship with your local pharmacist can make the process of obtaining the vital medication that you need much more comfortable and so much less of a hassle. About 54% of all prescriptions that are filled are so done at retail pharmacies, and one survey showed that of the independent pharmacies across the nation, 76% compound the necessary medications for their patients on site.
If you have several options to choose from when choosing the pharmacy that you will frequent, it wouldn’t hurt to do a little research or perhaps pay each one a visit to find which one will best fit your needs.
Other factors that can help you take control of your healthcare
Finding the right pharmacy is key, as there can unfortunately be unavoidable illnesses or conditions that must be properly addressed with the right medication. But there are steps that you can take to improve your overall health and thus diminish your need for the type of healthcare that can ultimately do a bit of damage to your bank account. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, or the CDC, one thing that is recommended among the Physical Activity Basics is that adults ranging in age as young as 18 all the way up to 64 years old should be participating in two and a half hours of moderate muscle strengthening and aerobic activity at least twice a week.
Pairing physical activity with the right diet is almost guaranteed to put you on a better track to a healthier lifestyle overall, and reducing the amount of time that you spend getting sick or developing a chronic condition.
Getting on the right track to a healthy life
It can be very difficult for some people to take that first step toward a healthier lifestyle. For some it is a matter of motivation. Finding someone who can help to hold you accountable, or to help encourage you to get out and get active, or to continue to eat well, can make a huge difference. Habits, for anyone can be incredibly hard to break, but start with small goals. If you can muster the willpower to repeat healthy habits for a few days in a row, you are already on your way to replacing those bad habits with healthier ones.
If you are not quite sure where to begin, consider consulting a nutritionist, wellness coach, or fitness trainer. Chances are, if consulting a professional is not financially feasible, you already have someone who can advise you about healthy living, within your network of friends and family members. The most important thing is that you are willing to take those steps towards a healthier, more balanced lifestyle from which you will be reaping the benefits for years to come.
We continue to look at the evolution of healthcare optimistically. There will come a point that each and every person will have access to quality healthcare, without having to break the bank to get it. But in the meantime, we can do everything that we can to stay healthy, not just to avoid the high costs of healthcare, but because it will mean a much more enjoyable way of life overall.
