Wellness = Preventative Care for Chronic Conditions
August 13, 2025
According to a CDC 10-year trend report, a staggering 76.4% of adults in the US–that’s 194 million people, reported having one or more chronic conditions.
Chronic illnesses such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes are also the leading cause of death and disability in the country and together with mental health conditions, account for an equally staggering 90% of US healthcare costs.
With the numbers of adults harboring chronic illnesses at critically high levels, no doubt the need for preventative care is critical as well. When you hear the term “preventative care,” vaccinations, annual checkups, and cancer screenings probably come to mind. For most of us, prevention represents medical appointments and procedures that help keep us healthy and hopefully reduce the risk of chronic illnesses.
Wellness, on the other hand, might bring up images of meditation apps, work-life balance, guided breathwork or even forest bathing. It seems more personal and sometimes optional, a nice-to-do, focused on feeling good.
But what if wellness and preventative care aren’t as different as they seem? The daily wellness choices we make—how we handle stress, whether we move our bodies, the sleeping habits we implement—can be some of the most powerful tools for preventing chronic diseases down the road.
How Wellness Habits Build a Healthier Future
You might notice a lift in your mood after a walk, think more clearly when you’re well-hydrated, or feel better focused after a good night’s sleep. These immediate benefits have become part of the wellness buzz, with more people paying attention to how these habits shape how they feel.
What you may not realize is that these same wellness habits may be laying the groundwork for better health and helping to reduce your risk of chronic diseases years from now. Among these are:
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Hydration. Research shows that staying well-hydrated as we get older is linked to lower rates of chronic diseases and may even support longevity. People who don’t drink enough fluids consistently show higher risks of developing chronic conditions as they age. Hydration has even become a wellness trend on social media, with influencers tracking their water intake, using flavored packets, or carrying around oversized water containers that have become fashion accessories.
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Physical activity. Regular exercise can help prevent heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and several types of cancer. It can also reduce the risk of dementia and depression. Consistent physical activity can help build protection that pays off for years to come. Exercise is also a big part of wellness trends these days, with everything from fitness challenges to influencer-led workout routines popping up on social media.
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Sleep. Sleep tracking apps and elaborate bedtime routines are also popular in wellness circles. But underneath it all is a simple truth– getting quality sleep consistently is one of the best ways to prevent chronic illnesses. Research found that sleep deprivation can increase the risk of heart problems, metabolic disorders, and cognitive decline.
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Stress management. There’s no denying that stress is part of life. But when left unmanaged, stress can increase inflammation, increase the risk of heart disease, and contribute to chronic health problems. Wellness culture has embraced stress management in a big way with a variety of hacks and the common goal of helping to prevent health problems from developing over time.
Wellness Routines That Can Prevent Chronic Illness
With August being National Wellness Month, it’s a great time to think about the wellness habits that can protect your health for years to come. Beyond the big four we’ve covered—hydration, movement, sleep, and stress management—other wellness practices, such as those listed below, can reduce your risk of future health issues:
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Eating meals without distractions. Also known as mindful eating, this approach can help you recognize hunger and fullness cues, which can prevent overeating and support better digestion.
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Spending time outdoors. Make it a daily walk, gardening, or even forest bathing (simply being present in nature). Time outdoors can lower stress hormones and benefit your mental and physical health.
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Setting boundaries with technology. Creating regular phone-free zones or times, or going on digital detoxes, can improve your sleep and reduce anxiety over time.
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Keeping tabs on your health at home. Monitoring your blood pressure or blood glucose at home, especially as you get older or if certain conditions run in your family, can help catch changes early, before they become bigger problems.
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Building self-care into your routine. Whether it’s connecting with loved ones, reading time, or whatever helps you recharge, regular self-care can keep stress from affecting your health.
Wellness Doesn’t Have to Be All or Nothing
Of course, knowing about these wellness practices and implementing them regularly are two different things. Wellness can sometimes feel like another thing to get right, another checklist to complete, or an ideal to live up to. When they feel like pressure, even the most effective wellness habits can lose their shine.
Life gets messy. Some weeks, you’ll drink plenty of water and get great sleep. Other weeks, you’re dealing with work deadlines or sick children, and those green smoothies aren’t happening. That’s okay. What’s important is finding approaches that feel doable and supportive, especially when life’s pressures aren’t going anywhere.
Maybe it’s taking five deep breaths when you’re stressed, going for a short walk when you can, or just drinking an extra glass of water. These small, consistent actions matter more than doing everything perfectly for a few weeks and then giving up.
A Personal Perspective
I’ve seen this pattern repeat itself in my nursing experience. The people who tend to stay healthiest as they get older aren’t necessarily the ones who completely transformed their lives at some point. They’re the ones who implemented small, healthy habits consistently over the years. Give yourself permission to start small, adjust as needed, and remember that some wellness is always better than none.
Some of us think of wellness as something extra, something we do when we have time. Let’s start viewing wellness as preventative care—the kind that happens outside the doctor’s office and that we manage ourselves.
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