Easy Checkups
Hi again! Hope you had a restful weekend. One thing I like to do during my days off is what I call ‘life admin’. This means that I look over potential projects and unfinished business that needs sorting out. An example of this is scheduling appointments and doing regular maintenance. Today we’ll briefly discuss some things you should be getting checked out and how often. Need help with scheduling these things? Read on!
Health & Wellness
Annual Physical Exam- First of all, do you have a primary care doctor? It’s common for people to no longer have a trusted family physician who knows their entire extended clan. We move, we need specialists, we just don’t follow up. Whatever the reason, this is something you shouldn’t skip. A lot of potential health issues can be caught early if you see your doctor every year for a general checkup. How do you know if your baseline has changed if you don’t know what it is in the first place? For help finding a good primary care physician, try calling the helpline on the back of your insurance card. You can also ask a trusted friend who they’re currently seeing.
Annual Gynecologist Exam- Yes it can be uncomfortable and awkward. But women’s health is complex and it’s great to stay on top of any changes, particularly as you age. I’ve mentioned Tia clinic before and I truly believe they’re nailing the concept of all-inclusive women’s healthcare. Pro tip: you can also see a primary and mental health care provider here.
Twice-Yearly Dental Exams- Your teeth aren’t just luxury bones. They’re vital. Keep them in tip-top shape by seeing your dentist twice a year for a cleaning and to address any concerns. In between visits, maintain your dental hygiene by brushing and flossing daily.
Yearly Eye Exam- Be sure to find a good optometrist who takes their time with your exam. They can find other health issues linked to your eyes like high blood pressure. Too busy to look around much? I love Warby Parker; S and I have had great experiences with their chain of stores.
Home Maintenance
Smoke detectors- When’s the last time you checked these to ensure they are functioning? You should be testing them monthly. It’s worth the time to make sure you’re safe.
Water filters- If you use a water filter like a Brita, check the packaging. At minimum you should replace them every two months.
Coffee machine descaling- For the freshest coffee, descale your Keurig or Nespresso machine every 3 months or 300 capsules. You can find descaling kits on Amazon or straight from the manufacturer.
Air Purifier- Keep a close eye on this. Clean air makes a massive difference. The model we have is the Germ Guardian and the filters last several months before they need to be replaced. It has a handy light that tells you when you’ll need to do so.
Car Maintenance
Oil changes- Of course this varies widely depending on what and how often you drive. For our HR-V that is not driven often we usually just change it when the car tells us to. But this is usually every 7,500 miles or six months.
Registration and Inspection- Does your state require both of these? Set an alarm in your phone for the month before it’s due so you have plenty of time to schedule it.
Windshield wipers- These should be replaced every 6 to 12 months. How long have you had yours?
Other maintenance- Check your car’s manual to see if there’s anything else you should check on regularly. Some are preventative repairs that can save you a lot of money in the long run. You should also be sure to read any and all recall notices you get- some are serious and must be addressed immediately.
Did this post remind you to take care of something or add it to your calendar? Are there any other yearly/monthly/weekly tasks you complete? Let me know in the comments below!
