The answer is always now. Did you know that Alzheimer’s, heart disease and diabetes all start developing in your 40’s, 50’s and 60’s? The appearance of disease is just the tip of the iceberg.
The road to get there starts 20, 30 and even 40 years before the actual disease really takes hold. Who wouldn’t want to prevent losing their mind, dying of a heart attack or stroke, or suffering from the complications from diabetes – nerve pain, blindness and poor wound healing.
I don’t know about you, but I have three kids and the youngest is eight. I am about to turn 50 and want to be as healthy, fit and mobile as I possibly can for as long as I can. Because of some digestive issues when I was 19, I had to start paying attention then. That is not to say I am perfect by any means. I eat desserts here and there. I have times where I eat more of the things I know don’t make me feel great, but I always come back to doing what I can for the insurance prevention provides.
You may be saying, but I’ve got a whole family history of diseases going on…how can I possibly be in control of what happens to me? There is something called epigenetics. We have many genes that never express themselves, or are expressed when they are turned on. Like BRCAI and II. Just because you have those genes does not mean that you are going to get breast cancer. Things like pesticide free organic vegetables, sleep, meditation and gratitude can keep these genes quiet and promote healthier genes to express themselves. The natural state of a human being is health. If you lean into habits that promote it, that is the outcome that you get.
Besides preventing disease that appears later on, we can also take care of what could happen more imminently. Sudden deaths with oddly young people are happening now so much so that a new syndrome called Sudden Adult Death Syndrome has been coined. What if there had been more awareness and attention paid to health – could some of these deaths be prevented?
Some of the things I hear people say:
“Oh, I’m busy right now. I’ve got too much travel.”
Or, “We need to focus on my husband/wife right now. His health is more important than mine.”
And the one I love the best, “Well, we’re getting our kitchen done right now, so I’ll have to save
up for it.”
A new kitchen is beautiful and can definitely give you pleasure, but as my new patient put it last week, “Well I can’t spend my money in a coffin.” His remark really stuck with me. Investing in yourself now will always pay you dividends with your health. Small consistent efforts. They compound and give you dividends. Something I don’t think younger people think about, is the effort, time and money it takes for someone else to take care of you because you can’t anymore
- think of a parent or grandparent with Alzheimer’s. It decreases everyone’s quality of life. Not
just yours. I don’t normally write blogs like this, but I think perspective is important.
If you’re tired, in pain, have trouble sleeping or are heavier than you should be – don’t wait!
Address it now. You’re investing in your future self. And what could be more worth it than you!!