When we are hurting or sick, we want answers and quick relief.  Dealing with confusing symptoms, an uncertain diagnosis, or conflicting treatment options is challenging. And it can be  hard to take action when the worrisome finding is a lab test—and we feel fine.  Since 70% of chronic illnesses can be alleviated or cured through lifestyle change, our choices in all these circumstances have a big impact our health.

Here are four common errors we make to justify our lack or delay of self care:

1. Waiting for the Magic Fix. We think the doctor knows or will find the answer to our problems, so we wait for the pill, surgery, or injection before we try new habits, better diet, weight loss, exercise, prayer, or therapy.

2. Obsession with Diagnosis. We want a clearcut diagnosis and think if we knew the precise cause and description of our ailment, this would solve our problem. So we push for more labs, CTs, MRIs, or speciality consultations, delaying self-care while waiting for a certainty which might never be realized.

3. Ignoring Silent Signals: Feeling “fine” doesn't guarantee optimal health. Conditions like high blood pressure or elevated cholesterol demand attention, even if there are no symptoms. But we use the absence of symptoms  to convince ourselves that all is well and no changes are needed.

4. Underestimating Mental Health Impact: We deny or underestimate the huge negative health impacts of stress, anxiety, unhappiness, loneliness, and lack of meaning and satisfaction. Facing these problems, making changes, and getting help are not easy steps, but are so worth the effort.

   70% chronic illness can be cured or improved with lifestyle change.

Let me tell you what happened to me. My doctor recommended an infusion medicine for my moderate osteoporosis. Seeking an alternative to this treatment, I negotiated  a plan to hold off on the infusions if I stepped up my weight-bearing exercises and walking. Over  time my bone scan improved enough that I didn’t need the medication. Not only that. After a few years of exercising regularly, I noticed my chronic bilateral elbow pain was resolving. Though I had seen multiple specialists and had extensive testing, I never received a specific diagnosis-- and arm exercises weren’t seriously considered by my doctors or by me. In retrospect, we  made mistake #2.

Have you fallen into any of these traps?  You may be suffering from pain, gastrointestinal disturbances, insomnia, anxiety, headaches, high blood pressure, or elevated blood sugar. Do not put all your self-help efforts on the table until the doctor figures out and fixes your problem. Talk to your doctors about changes you want to make, but remember that some doctors are not informed or motivated to instruct you about your lifestyle—plus, many do not have sufficient time. This has to be your responsibility.

You probably already know what to do. But just in case you don’t, you can start with walking every day for 20-30 minutes, eating 5-6 servings of fruits and veggies each day, following the plate method of eating as a guide for your meals, and reducing your screen time.

SUGGESTIONS:

1. Here is a useful book, Disease Proof by David L. Katz, MD.  Or, for an online resource, consider Harvard’s Staying Healthy

2.. A few years ago I offer a self-guided program on improving your health of body, mind, and spirit. It is still available, free as a pdf.

3. Never forget that each of you has a lot more power to influence your health than your doctor does during your brief visits.

EXTRAS

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Engaging With a Messy World
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CHECK OUT THIS GREAT FEEDBACK THAT SUSAN RIGGS RECEIVED IN AN EMAIL.

“… I listened to the first two interviews with Donna Chacko and was blown away by how much you can say in 20 minutes that has such an impact. I will be listening to all of them and probably repeat several times.

Thank you for putting this out there for us to continue to become the kind, wise, emotionally, intelligent people we are meant to be for each other.”

In case you missed my earlier announcement, my good friend Integral Coach Susan Riggs and I have officially launched our free video series, “Engaging with a Messy World”! We are convinced the information in each 20-minute episode can help you survive, thrive, and even bring healing to what many are calling our “world on fire.”

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Dr. Donna Chacko promotes health of body, mind, and spirit through her website (serenityandhealth.com), her blog, her podcast/vlog series, “Engaging with a Messy World” and " “Pop-Up Conversations on Health of Mind, Body, and Spirit,” and programs at her church. She is the author of Pilgrimage: A Doctor’s Healing Journey (Luminare Press, 2021), a recent best-seller on Amazon, 2022 Illumination Awards Gold Medal Winner, 2022 Reader Views Literary Award Gold Medal Winner, and 2022 Catholic Media Association First Place Awards.