William Aiken
As we begin a new year, it is important to remember that we must all take responsibility for our health. Recall that recovering and maintaining an optimum state of health, no matter what our current health status might be, is largely a matter of choice.
We must choose to exercise our power of choice now in deciding that 2007 will be a year in which we pay due attention to our diet, lifestyle and close relationships, all of which impact on our state of health. Our current and future state of health is partly a result of the cumulative effect of the choices we make in terms of our diet, lifestyle and our relationships. Maintaining or recovering good health is a basic and often taken-for-granted ingredient in our quest for happiness as, without it, we are unable to pursue our goals or enjoy the fruits of our labour.
Financial success is quite meaningless if you are repeatedly sick and in bed. Recognising this, let us choose wisely and let us not procrastinate. Let healthy practices become an ingrained habit - a part of your daily routine from here on.
Choose to become better informed about your health in general and any specific health condition you may have so that you can make informed decisions regarding what is best to optimise your state of health, no matter what your current state of health may be.
For good health, try these tips
1. Reading articles from the health section of the Wednes-day Gleaner is a good place to start in seeking reliable and current information regarding your health.
2. Seek professional advice and help when embarking on a new health programme, or if you have not had a medical evaluation in a long time.
3. Set realistic health goals; ones that are attainable with a little discipline. Achieving small incremental goals will help to keep you motivated and you will be less likely to become non-compliant and revert to your old habits. When setting health goals, be 'SMART', that is, let them be Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realis-tic and Time-lined.
Compliance with prescription drugs and diet and exercise regimes is important if agreed - upon health goals are to be achieved.
4. Enlist the support of close loved ones. For example, exercising or working out together may keep you motivated rather than going it alone, not to mention the positive spin-offs for the relationship. Also, changes in diet are more likely to be sustained if your partner or family is aware and involved.
5. Avoid social situations or persons who are likely to overtly or covertly pressure you into reverting to bad health habits. For example, if you are trying to stop smoking or drinking, it would be foolish to continue 'hanging out' with the boys on a Friday night at the local bar.
6. Although your health is to be taken seriously, life shouldn't be taken too seriously - learn to laugh at yourself and to find humour in life's everyday situations. Attitude is every-thing and a positive attitude toward the vicissitudes of life is necessary to remaining healthy and not letting life's inevitable challenges weigh you down.
7. Remember, you have the power of choice in deciding how you react to potentially stressful situations. Create the time to unwind and de-stress. Whether it is simply deep breathing, or meditating, or being pampered by getting a therapeutic massage or just watching the sunset, make sure to take the time to get away from the hustle and bustle of life and recharge your mind and spirit.
8. Re-evaluate your health status and goals periodically. Reward yourself if your goals are met in a timely manner. If goals are unrealised, take stock to determine where you have gone wrong and make the necessary corrective steps.
I wish you good health for 2007!
Dr. William Aiken is the head of Urology at the University Hospital of the West Indies and president of the Jamaica Urological Society; email: yourhealth@gleanerjm.com.
