An annual health plan is a not just a sensible but a responsible investment in your own health.

After all, no-one should be more invested in your health than you.

The decision to create a health plan sets up a basic framework allowing you to set meaningful goals.

It helps you remain on track with preventative care, health screenings and lifestyle adjustments tailored to your unique needs.

In the hustle and bustle of modern life, it is so easy to relegate those necessities to the back of your mind.

Before you realise it, another year has slipped by.

Building an annual health plan is about taking a positive approach to your health.

It’s about making a commitment to feel better and make the most of your life for now and the years to come.

But how do you do it?

Annual check-ups

An annual check-up is the cornerstone of any serious annual health plan.

Visit your GP even if you are feeling in the best shape you have ever been.

Discuss any concerns no matter how minor or seemingly insignificant, considering your physical, mental and emotional health.

Include any recent changes in your health.

Be sure to inform your GP about your family history and lifestyle that could affect your outlook.

An annual check-up allows your GP to establish reference points regarding your health so they can be compared into the future.

It will involve a routine blood test including cholesterol levels, a basic heart check, blood pressure and a record of your weight.

Identify personal health goals

This is where the real benefits of an annual health plan begin to materialise.

Talk to your GP about defining clear, realistic health goals for the year ahead.

It may be to quit smoking, reduce your alcohol intake, manage a chronic condition, improve your fitness or reduce your stress levels.

Then formulate manageable steps to help you achieve those goals.

Those goals are likely to vary depending on your age and fitness levels.

Younger people usually lean towards fitness and mental health goals.

Older patients will prioritise things like heart or joint health and remaining up to date with necessary screenings.

Create a preventative health plan

Preventative healthcare is an essential component of your annual health plan.

Ask your GP about what preventative health measures are best recommended for you.

Many will be age and gender specific and may include mammograms, prostate exams or PSA tests, blood pressure monitoring or diabetes checks.

Early detection is critical to managing nearly all serious and chronic diseases.

Your GP can suggest lifestyle adjustments including dietary changes, exercise regimes or sleep improvements to help prevent the advancement of heart disease or high blood pressure.

You should also discuss the need for flu, pneumococcal or travel-related immunisations.

Establish a nutrition and exercise plan

Your GP is the ideal professional to talk with about developing a nutrition and exercise plan tailored specifically to you.

This is likely to involve a balanced diet to support weight management, reduce cholesterol or manage blood sugar levels.

They can also recommend exercises and levels of physical stress appropriate for your age, fitness and health needs and goals.

Whether it is strength training or flexibility exercises, your GP can guide you on how to incorporate appropriate levels of physical activity safely into your daily routine.

Address mental health and wellbeing

The days of mental health being a taboo subject are long gone.

It is one of the most common reasons Australians visit their GP today and you should feel comfortable speaking openly and honestly about how you feel.

Sometimes, mental health concerns and stress levels can be alleviated by paying greater respect to your sleep routine.

An improved diet, reducing substance use and more exercise also play a significant role in mental health management.

Your GP can offer you resources for stress management as well as recommend further counselling or other mental health services if deemed necessary.

Managing chronic conditions

The average age of the onset of a chronic condition is 57.

By age 64, more than a quarter of Australians will have at least one chronic condition with one in 10 having at least two.

Your GP can help you recognise signs that a chronic condition may be worsening and suggest courses of action to reduce the likelihood of flare ups.

They can also check your medications are not responsible for any serious side effects and remain effective, adjusting doses if necessary or exploring alternative medications.

Book an appointment

Building a health plan with a GP is a downpayment on your future.

By working closely with your GP, you can lay the foundations for a long and healthy life with an easy to follow, reliable routine designed to trip up any health nasties at the very first hurdle.

Your GP has a wealth of knowledge and connections in the health industry and can refer you to a wide range of allied health care professionals including dieticians, physical therapists and psychologists to name a few.

They can also suggest community health classes or groups that may benefit you.

At AHA Clinics, friendly GPs are accomplished in the field of preventative health and ongoing management and will be only too happy to help you design an annual health care plan.

Annual visits can then be scheduled as part of your plan’s ongoing maintenance.

For older patients, biannual or quarterly visits may be advised.

Book an appointment here today at either our Seaford Road Day and Night Clinic or our Seaford Meadows Day and Night Clinic.