The task of transforming healthcare is not just up to legislators, doctors and insurance companies. A big part of the responsibility falls on consumers—the individual patients and families who have the most control of their health. One of the most important ways to become a healthier society is to focus on individual wellness.

Wellness may be a term you've been hearing about lately. Many companies are instituting employee-centered wellness programs to reduce healthcare costs and missed days, while increasing employee morale. Total wellness consists of seven aspects of life: emotional, environmental, intellectual, occupational, physical, social and spiritual. All seven wellness categories play an integral role in well-being.

At Quality Quest, we are focused on ways to help you improve your physical health.

Eat healthy

Focus on fruits, vegetables and whole grains while limiting your intake of fats and sugars.

Exercise regularly.

Regular physical activity boosts the immune system and releases endorphins to improve mood.

Control your weight.

Combining a healthy diet and regular exercise will help you achieve a healthy Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is determined by weight and height, and can identify individuals at risk for illness or death due to being obese or overweight.

Avoid tobacco products.

Along with the increased risk of oral or lung cancers, smoking also is linked to heart disease, stroke and other chronic illnesses. It is the leading cause of preventable death in the United States.

Limit alcohol intake.

In addition to developing a dependency, alcohol consumption over the recommended limits leads to increased blood pressure, and is a factor in strokes, heart attacks and kidney failure.

Taking control of your physical well being is a positive place to start on your path to better health.