Managing our health has changed over the years. Most of us have one or more digital files that track our health visits, costs, issues, and more. I have found these files very useful with regard to my own health and the health of my parents and children. I can easily access most of these files, and that's super helpful. Some health agencies haven't kept up with this online file system as well and I tend to move away from those agencies towards more up-to-date, helpful, timely providers and institutions instead.
There's lots to learn about health care today and there's many ready resources online to help you take control of your health and do what is needed to have the best health possible. For many of us, this is a mind shift since we have to make learning about health a regular part of our routine since the information is changing all the time and there's lots to know about how to be healthy. There's also a lot of misleading, bogus information out there, and you have to work to know the difference.
So as I think about the area of health management, what does this mean for my regular routine and needed actions?
Review your online/offline medical files
Take time to review the your own medical files and the files of those you love and help. Make sure the information is up to date and the way to access that information is readily available to you and those that share in your health decisions and care.
Consider the quality of care you get
Some of us stay satisfied with sub-par medical care. This is particularly true if you're not sick often, but it's important to have the best possible medical care. This is especially true as you get older when more issues tend to crop up.
Know what you need to do to be healthy--prevent as many health problems as possible.
Prevention is key to good health, and we all know that healthy routine of exercise, sleep, good nutrition, and positive social relations and recreation leads to a healthy lifestyle. Yet the science related to exercise, nutrition, healthy relations, and positive recreation is always changing so it's great to find a few sources of regular, honest, up-to-date information to consult to stay up to date.
Nutrition
Clearly some foods are better than others when it comes to our good health. I live with a public health professional so I have a first-hand resource for information, but there's still lots for me to learn and update with regard to my nutritional habits. I'm hoping to spend some time in the months ahead reading and learning more about this.
Exercise
I've been walking a lot, and I've grown to love it. Now I have to add some more low impact exercise routines to the mix to be as strong and agile as possible.
Social connections
Fortunately now that I'm not teaching anymore, I have more time for positive social connections and this has boosted my quality of life greatly. One troubling aspect of schools is that the routines, schedules, leadership models, and environments are greatly outdated often leading to unhealthy environments and cultures for living and learning. This has to change as we want to promote a healthy and positive environment for learning as possible.
Positive recreation
Many recreational activities our country has embraced over time have not been positive, yet I believe we are seeing more and more positive opportunities for good recreation arise in the culture. The ability to easily rent a bike, go for a walk, hike a mountain, learn to swim and more give us countless positive recreational avenues. I want to continue to think about ways to move my recreational life into the positive sphere.
Dealing with problems before they become nightmares
Many of us, including myself, sometimes choose denial rather than dealing with our health problems right away. No one likes to think about, deal with, or pay for health issues that arise, but if you deal with them earlier rather than later, you'll likely live a longer life and have to deal with less pain and suffering. My dad who is 92 has been a great example of this in the last half of his life. After an early health scare due mostly to neglecting to seeing the doctor on a yearly basis, he had to battle a tough case of cancer. With good treatments, exceptional doctors, a positive attitude as well as perseverance and a little luck (or a lot of luck), he was able to beat the disease. After that, he has made a doctor's appointment whenever a problem arises. This is a good model to follow.
Be kind to yourself
We will all face some kind of medical issue from time to time. It could be a mental or physical health challenge. Sometimes sadly we may face issues before the science or medicine has caught up with that issue, and we may pay the price of being on the front line of a new or persistent issue for which there is little understanding or no known cure. When that happens, it's good to reach out to others online or in real time who are navigating a similar, confusing course for camaraderie, strength, and collective research, knowledge, and advocacy.
It is also very difficult to change ingrained habits from our youth, habits that we may now understand to be unhealthy and negative for our wellbeing. Again, to find groups and experts that can help us shift those habits is positive for our overall health.
Americans, in so many ways, are embracing healthy lifestyles. This is positive for our individual and collective health. In the coming days, I want to give this area of life more attention and care. If you have ideas for me, please share. Onward.