My Health Matters:

Reality Check:

As I navigate my way through my fifties I have realised that at no time has my general health been more important and I have to take responsibility.

My health:

This is the decade where our body starts to remind us of poor choices in our past:

• Too much sun
• Old injuries
• Poor diet
• Lack of exercise
• Ongoing emotional stress

In the past each time I filled in a health history form I would have a negative tick against all the crucial familial questions. This no longer true and my mother was never big on routine medical check- ups so I have no idea about her cholesterol or sugar level history.

I believe there is just as much danger in obsessing as there is in deluding yourself. Based on the fact that I weigh what I did ten years ago, I have a reasonable diet and a good exercise regime I like to believe that I am healthy. Things can change so routine tests are vital

What Medical tests:

• In my forties I got into the annual habit of a mammogram and the dreaded pap smear.
• Encouraged by medical insurance my sugar, cholesterol levels and blood pressure are monitored
• Apparently from next year I need to add a bone density test.

I’m less blasé about these now and don’t automatically assume that all will be exactly the same as last year.

How else do I look after my health?

• I personally believe that a little bit of the good things in life probably do more good than harm. Constantly denying yourself a bit of chocolate, or a small glass of wine creates stress of its own.
• I find it helpful to split the medical must do’s between January and October and include dental and eye check- ups. October works for me as it is breast awareness month
• I love to be active and it’s important. Hating what you are doing is counter- productive. If I love it I will stick to it. I need group exercise to motivate me and I love the Zumba classes at my gym. I found some great Shape classes too. Once a week I walk at Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens  . This is my soul place and the walk is as much for my emotional health as it is for my physicalFor the same reason I’m going to include yoga.
• Look after my emotional health. It’s been a tough year.For me this means time with friends and family, reading a great book, writing, getting into nature and travelling when I get a chance.
• Learning to say no, this is an ongoing challenge but I am getting better.As a ‘People pleaser’ I battle with this but no one thanks a martyr.
• Recognise toxic people in my life and gently turn them loose. Relationships are a two-way street.
• Team tag friends and family to do their routine checks, I accept it’s your prerogative but it makes me feel better.

 

Health taken care of, Let’s get on with conquering this decade.