Dr Michelle O'Driscoll: Making conscious choices to look after our health

Good health is something that we don’t really think about until it’s gone.

Most of us tend to take our energy and capabilities for granted, particularly in our youth. And it’s true that there are aspects of our health that are not within our control, as much as we would like them to be – genetically determined high cholesterol won’t be dodged with stringent dieting or exercise, or an unforeseen cancer diagnosis can occur even to the healthiest of individuals.

Aging brings with it a natural deterioration in health too, as the body becomes less adept at compensating for the things that don’t it to thrive. Eventually, it will start to show signs of needing some additional care and attention. Everything from heart health to bone density, digestive systems to mental health and cognitive function can suffer - insidiously, or all of a sudden. And then we’re left wondering what to do about it.

Looking after our health needs to be a conscious choice, something that is proactively put on the agenda by us, and put on there early. We need to be preventative rather than reactive with this. Here are a few things to think about when it comes to proactively maintaining good health where possible.

Don’t put things off – That blood test? Get it done now. That mole mapping? Make the appointment. Putting things on the long finger feels like the easiest way in the short-term, but you could be kicking something much more serious down the track by doing this, particularly if you’re ignoring certain red-flag symptoms.

Ask for the evidence – There’s so much contradictory information out there now around health – high impact versus low impact exercise, intermittent fasting versus regular meals, different weight loss and smoking cessation options – it’s a feast of offerings that are challenging to decipher. Don’t hesitate to ask for the facts, figures and evidence to what is being suggested. too that every person’s situation is different. You might have a different weight or kidney function, lifestyle, medication list or family history to the person recommending X for Y. Get the information from a credible source tailored to your specific profile.

An investment for others – We are slow to commit time to things that are solely for our own benefit – and our own screenings and appointments or time spent looking after our health can feel that way. Reframe this to remind yourself that this is an investment in your loved ones also, who wish the very best for you, to have you around for as long as possible, and to lean on your and love.

That can be maximised if you’re in the best possible health, as good a reason as any to invest the time into looking after yourself – for them, if not for yourself.

Little steps – Tackling health challenges can be incredibly overwhelming, like you’ve a proverbial mountain to climb. Breaking that broad ambition down into specific tasks and mini goals makes it more palatable and achievable. Addressing your heart health wont happen successfully overnight – choose the first most attainable step first, like adding in a walk on a number of days of the week.

The food, the smoking cessation, the weight loss – these can all follow in time. Just focus on the next step.

Holistic approach – Be aware and accepting of the fact that some health issues require a revamp in lifestyle, while others inevitably require medication. Needing a prescription is not the failure that some might view it to be when they receive the news that a tablet is required to manage a particular issue.

We should embrace the benefits of modern medicine, and use it to our advantage where it has been proven to be safe and appropriate – after all, that is why we’re living so much longer. At the same time, not relying on meds to solve all ailments that nature, good food and a healthy lifestyle could address is a point also worth noting.

Mind and body - ing that physical symptoms can impact our mental health and vice versa is so important when it comes to deciding to look after ourselves better. We’re quick to pick up the best branded supplement in the shop and expect it to change our lives – would we be so quick to spend the money on a therapy session, or something to address mood or mindset? Being open to tacking health challenges from both body and mind perspectives will only improve your overall outcomes.

Health is priceless, and something that we must mind where possible. Doing so can be challenging, but with a preventative and holistic attitude we can look after ourselves as we enter the later years of our life.