Making time for healthy habits in your everyday routine is one of the best things you can do for your long-term well-being. Whether it’s staying active, getting enough sleep or eating a balanced diet, small changes can make a big difference. And with so many health testing options available today, it’s easier than ever to check in on what your body needs and see how you’re making progress toward your wellness goals. Health testing can give you helpful insights to understand important markers like heart health, nutrition, hormone levels and more. It’s one way to support your wellness journey, alongside regular checkups and healthy habits.
Ready to take charge of your health? Here are six simple ways to prioritize your wellness and track your progress.
1. Try a new workout
Physical activity is a key part of a healthy lifestyle. Exercise can support heart health by helping manage cholesterol levels, including raising HDL (the ‘good’ cholesterol) and lowering LDL (the ‘bad’ cholesterol), especially when combined with a healthy diet. Exercise can also boost your mood, improve sleep and give you more energy throughout the day.
To stay motivated, try switching up your routine. If you enjoy jogging, try running in a new neighborhood. If you usually go to the gym, try a dance class or a yoga session. The goal is to keep things fresh and have fun.
Track your heart health: Labcorp OnDemand’s Comprehensive Heart Health Test checks important markers like cholesterol and triglycerides to help you understand your cardiovascular health.
2. Try meditation
Mental health is just as important as physical health. Meditation is a great way to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being. Some research shows that meditation may help lower cortisol, a hormone linked to stress.
There’s no one right way to meditate. You can join a group, use an app or simply sit quietly and focus on your breathing. Even a few minutes a day can make a difference.
Check your stress levels: Labcorp OnDemand’s Cortisol Test measures your cortisol levels, which can reflect how your body responds to stress.
3. Try a new healthy snack
Eating a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins can help your body in many ways—from boosting energy, supporting your immune system, to lowering your risk of chronic conditions, like heart disease and diabetes. But it’s easy to get bored with the same meals and snacks.
Try something new to keep things exciting. Pair crunchy veggies like bell peppers or cucumbers with hummus or tzatziki. Or blend up a refreshing fruit smoothie with yogurt and spinach.
Learn more about your nutrition: Labcorp OnDemand’s Micronutrient Test checks for levels of key vitamins and minerals to help you understand your nutritional status.
4. Get enough sleep
Sleep is essential for good health, but many people don’t get enough. More than one-third of adults sleep less than the recommended 7 hours per night. Not getting enough sleep can affect metabolism, hormone balance and blood sugar levels—raising your risk for conditions like diabetes and heart disease.
Try going to bed earlier or taking short naps during the day. Also, consider checking your magnesium levels. Magnesium plays a role in sleep by helping regulate melatonin (a sleep hormone) and calming the nervous system.
Check your magnesium levels: Labcorp OnDemand’s Magnesium Test can help you see if your magnesium levels are within a healthy range.
5. Schedule a health checkup
Annual checkups are a great way to understand your baseline health, set goals that work for you and catch issues proactively on your wellness journey. Recommendations can vary depending on individual risk factors, personal and family health history and guidelines from different medical organizations. It’s always best to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate tests and screening schedule based on your individual circumstances.
Women should also stay on top of breast and cervical cancer screenings. For breast cancer, most experts recommend starting regular mammograms at age 40 for women at average risk. For cervical cancer, screening should begin at age 21. Women aged 30 to 65 can choose between a Pap test every 3 years, HPV testing every 5 years, or both together every 5 years.
Get a full health picture: Labcorp OnDemand’s Women’s Health Test offers insights into areas like diabetes risk, heart health, thyroid function and more.
6. Practice self-care
Self-care means doing things that help you feel your best. It could be a hike with your dog, a spa day with a friend, extra cuddle time with your baby or cooking a new recipe for your family. Whatever it looks like to you, self-care helps you recharge and stay balanced.
Make self-care part of your routine with Ovia’s daily self-care checklist, available in the Ovia and Ovia Parenting apps.
Everyday habits, lifelong health
Prioritizing your health doesn’t have to be complicated. Small everyday habits—like moving your body, eating well, and getting enough sleep—can make a big difference over time.
Health testing can help you track your progress and make informed choices, but it’s important to talk to your healthcare provider about which tests are right for you. You deserve to feel your best every day.
