Your Health, Your Responsibility: Why Taking Control Matters

Are you a good patient? One that just does what the doctor tells you to do without asking many questions? Do you think about your health only when you’re feeling sick – and then take medications to treat the symptoms? Do you put the power to heal outside of yourself and into the hands of some doctor or health practitioner?

Your health is your most prized possession. Without a healthy body, you won’t be able to do all the things you want to do or live long enough to enjoy time with your friends, loved ones, grandchildren or their children.

Why You Need to Take Responsibility Control of Your Health

The average life expectancy in the US is decreasing every year. The good news is that people who take control of and responsibility for their own health – physically, mentally, and spiritually – tend to live longer.

Health practitioners are just guides and assistants – the real healing happens from within. People who come to me and say: “I have this problem; fix me,” often don’t have great results because they aren’t taking responsibility for their health issues. Energetically and symbolically, they are putting the healing power in the hands of the doctor. This devalues our most precious power: the ability to heal ourselves from within. When you cut your finger in the kitchen, what happens? It heals itself, right? Every other part of the body has this same capacity. Sometimes we just need to give it a little assistance, that’s all.

Taking responsibility doesn’t mean shaming or blaming, it just means that we need to accept who we are with compassion and love, and work towards shifting whatever health condition we might have. It means accepting that maybe the way we are living our lives is contributing to our health problems, and perhaps some changes need to be made.

A study on the survival rate of cancer patients found that those who feel helpless died sooner than those who felt that they can do things to improve their condition – even if it were only small changes they could make. Instead of giving our healing power away to some external doctor or another person, we empower ourselves to heal from within.

How to Take Control of Your Health

We are created with an amazing body. The body can heal itself – as long as we give it what it needs to do its work. Here are some ways you can take control of your health again:

1. Love and take care of your body: Thomas Jefferson once said “The doctor of the future will give no medicine, but will interest his patient in the care of the human frame, in diet and in the cause and prevention of disease.” Cultivate this interest.
2. Find your reason: We all need a reason to achieve what we want – health or otherwise. The more reasons you have to achieve your goal, the higher the likelihood that you will follow a healthy lifestyle and get to your end destination. Make a list of all the reasons why you want to have a healthy body.
3. Create a wellness plan: Write down your health vision and goals. What lifestyle habits do you need to implement to improve your health? Once you have a plan, make sure you keep a journal to keep yourself in check. Get in touch if you need any help with creating your wellness plan. Don’t let this important task overwhelm you!
4. Follow an active lifestyle: According to a 2017 study on breast cancer, patients who exercised 30 minutes every day and followed a healthy diet had a 50% lower risk of dying. An active lifestyle will look different for everybody. If you’re not currently active, start slowly with not too strenuous exercises like walking, cycling, or swimming. As your body gets healthier over time, you may want to increase your activities.
5. Follow a nutritious diet: A nutritious diet can increase your lifespan. Read this article about the power of nutrition and which foods you should incorporate or cut out.
6. Manage your stress levels: Our immune system is suppressed if we continuously live with high-stress levels. Stress is called the silent killer, and for good reason. Read this article to understand the hazards of too much stress, and how to manage your stress levels successfully.
7. Laugh a bit more: Happy people live longer. Our bodies respond well when we are positive, so make time for a bit of fun every day!
8. Meditate: Take time in silence and stillness each day to close your eyes and tune into your internal world. Even just a few minutes each day makes a huge difference. When we meditate, our bodies produce more melatonin which helps us to sleep better. Meditation also strengthens our immune system.
9. Get rid of negative influences: Whether it’s bad habits you have or negative people you spend time with, it’s time to get rid of the negative influences in your life. For your health’s sake. Acupuncture can help release these old negative patterns.
10. Drink lots of good water: The cells in our bodies need water to work correctly. Make sure you drink your eight glasses of water each day, and more on hot days or while exercising.
11. Rest up: We need to get enough sleep and also take frequent holiday breaks. If you’re one of those that keep the midnight oil burning and allow your annual leave days to lapse, it’s time to take a break!
12. Get help: Taking personal responsibility and control of your health doesn’t mean you can’t ask for help. If you need guidance or someone to keep you accountable, make sure you reach out to someone who can help.

Ready to Take Control of Your Health?

A healthy lifestyle can prevent the onset of illnesses, but if you’re already suffering from some kind of disease, all is not lost! Taking control of your health and lifestyle can reverse the effects of illness and restore your body to its optimal health.

We all deserve to live a long and healthy life. Real healing happens from within – if you’re not already taking control of your health, it’s time to do so. Get in touch if you need a boost.