We all make sure we get our cars checked once a year – but what about ourselves? Conducting your own health MOT can be an easy way to check if there are any potential health concerns you may be experiencing. These checks are a good way to get an indication of health levels and if you have concerns, you should discuss these with your GP or with one of our health practitioners.
With this month also being Men’s Health Week, we’re focusing on how men can keep on top of their health and wellbeing with men being more likely to ignore a health concern. Here’s the best way to conduct your own health MOT and get an understanding of your current health levels.
Check your pulse
To take your pulse, place your index finger on the opposite wrist until you can feel your artery. Count the beats for 15 seconds then multiply by 4 to get your resting heart rate per minute. A low resting heart rate is a good indicator of healthiness and you can reduce this rate by increasing your exercise levels.
To find your recovery rate, step on and off a step for 3 minutes and rest for 30 seconds before taking your pulse again.
Check your waist
Carrying excess weight can cause strain on our bones and joints, reduce mobility and increase the risk of a number of health concerns. To measure your waist, simply take a tape measure around the biggest part of your belly (normally by your belly button). Anything over 37 inches is likely to be overweight and therefore increase your risks of health concerns.
If you’ve recently started gaining or losing weight and there’s no clear reason why, this can also be a sign of a health issue. Book an appointment with your GP if your weight changes are unexplained and they can help you get more tests to check for any issues.
Check for any warning signs
Checking your body over on a regular basis is an easy way to catch health problems early. Look for moles, lumps, unexplained pain, cough or anything out of the ordinary that could be a symptom of something more serious. Catching an issue early can make the difference between a small or serious health concern.
Check your water output
Are you finding yourself waking up more often in the night to use the toilet? Or are you finding it more difficult to go? Changes to how much you pee can be a sign of diabetes or prostate enlargement. If you’re struggling to remember, keeping notes of how often you’re going can help you if you need to contact your GP.
Consider your mental health and wellbeing
With 3 out of 4 suicides being men, mental health and wellbeing are more important than ever to be aware of. Regularly checking in with yourself and evaluating your mental state can help prevent mental health conditions from worsening. If you’re not sure how to check your mental wellbeing, try using our self-assessment wellbeing test to assess your mental wellness.
Check your pressure
Not many people have a blood pressure machine at home so if you’re looking for blood pressure checks, a Tonic Health Check will keep you covered. Blood pressure can be an indicator of stress levels and your health levels and a high blood pressure can lead to an increased risk of heart attack and stroke. If you’re concerned about your numbers, talking to your GP or a Tonic health practitioner can help put your mind at ease and catch any issues early.
How Tonic Wellbeing health checks can help you manage your wellbeing
Know you have accurate information to work with
Whilst conducting your own health checks is better than nothing, sometimes when we take our own data it can lead to small inaccuracies. A beat could be missed when checking heart rate, it may be difficult to measure your own waist or a mole may not look concerning when checking ourselves out.
By having a Tonic Wellbeing health check, you know our information is accurate and up-to-date, which ensures you have as much information as possible about your health. Our 15 point check will give you all the data you need to discuss any health concerns with your GP.
Speak to a professional health practitioner
Health issues can be scary and if you’re not sure about something, it can feel daunting to ask for medical advice. Our health checks provide you a confidential but comfortable environment for you to share your concerns and get advice. Our practitioners will always advise you if they think you should consult your GP.
Store your data in one place with the Tonic and Me app
Keeping track of your data and how it changes over time can be difficult with a busy lifestyle. By signing up for regular health checks and getting access to the Tonic and Me app, you can access all your health data through our app. This makes it easier to share with medical professionals and monitor over time to keep a closer eye on your health.
Schedule regular checks with the same team for consistency
When you arrange Tonic Wellbeing health checks, we’ll make sure you have the same practitioner each time to help build up trust and familiarity with our team. All sessions are confidential and our practitioner will take the time to get to know you and understand your health better.
Keeping on top of your health and wellbeing with a regular health MOT can be the best way to catch any major health issues early and minimise the risk of serious complications. Regular assessments can help you live a healthier, happier lifestyle for longer. Our health checks are always conducted in-person to help you get the most out of our sessions.
For more information about our health checks or conducting your own health MOT, get in touch with our team. We’re here to bring health and wellbeing to the workplace and help start a conversation about physical and mental wellness.
