It is that time of the year when many of us make New Year’s resolutions about our lives – often tied to our health and wellness. Unfortunately, like many of our other New Year’s resolutions many of us fail to make health care a top priority of the New Year.
Why is it important to commit to good health?
Despite the many advances in health care, many preventable conditions continue to affect many individuals. As individuals we can all do more to help prevent many medical conditions. There are many things individuals can do to improve their health. The first step is for individuals to make a commitment to achieve good health. This might involve certain lifestyle changes that might be difficult at first but the benefits can be tremendous.
What can you do?
Certain actions can make a major difference in your health. Although serious medical problems can happen regardless of how diligent you are, there are steps you can take to reduce your chances of developing diabetes, heart disease, cancer or stroke. For instance, pay attention to age- and gender-specific preventive screening recommendations. Manage your weight with regular exercise and healthy eating. Stop smoking. In your New Year’s resolution the first step in any preventive health measure is to write down your goals. Make sure they are specific, measurable and attainable. Assess your progress at set times whether weekly or monthly and engage family and friends to hold you accountable. The first few weeks are the hardest time for a lifestyle change, but once these activities become habits, they are much easier to maintain throughout the year.
Specific acts you can do to improve your health
Individuals must commit themselves to doing more to improve their health. There are various things you can do on your own, while others will involve the help of your doctor and other health care professionals. The following might prove helpful:
Adopt screening recommendations
There are various screening recommendations that are age and gender specific. It is important to discuss these various recommendations with your doctor. Many individuals use the beginning of the year to have that regular yearly checkup, but this checkup can be done at any time of the year.
Managing your weight
After all the overeating during the Christmas holidays many of us make managing our weight a top priority for the New Year. This is commendable but many of us fail to take the necessary steps for this to be successful. Prior to going into any weight or fitness exercise programme it is important to have a medical checkup so that medical problems, if present, can be addressed. You should also set realistic goals and seek professional help if necessary. Regular exercise does not require expensive equipment. There are several activities that can provide regular exercise such as swimming, dancing, backyard gardening, playing cricket or football. Whatever the activity, you must have a passion for it and it must be fun for you. There is no doubt that many residents of Anguilla are overweight or obese. As individuals, we must do more to deal with this epidemic as the health complications will continue to cause havoc in our country.
Good eating habits
There is much evidence that what we eat can influence our health. Many health conditions such as diabetes mellitus and hypertension can be influenced by what we eat. Maintaining good healthy eating habits can be challenging, but the cost of eating poorly can be costly and also result in many health challenges. There is growing evidence that many cancers are influenced by what foods and chemicals we ingest. Talk to your doctor, dietitian or other health professional if you need further information on how you diet can affect your health.
Own your health in 2014
There is much we can do as individuals to improve our health in 2014. We can no longer depend on others to be responsible for our health. Adopting good healthy habits, regular exercise, avoid abusing alcohol and drugs, getting regular medical check-ups and taking age and gender specific screening medical tests can go a long way in improving your health. All individuals living in Anguillla must own their health in 2014! Are you ready to commit to good health in 2014? Make that commitment today!
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in the Johnson Building in The Valley.
