Making the most of your healthWe live in a society where we have been blessed with abundance – abundant food, abundant entertainment, abundant lifestyles. However, having more doesn’t always mean your life is better, especially when it comes to our health. Making informed – and selective – choices about what we eat, how we use our free time, and caring for our bodies with adequate sleep and exercise can make a huge difference in our health and the quality of our lives.
Making the most of our health includes caring for the body God has given to us. It doesn’t matter where we start – we each have different health needs. It’s more important that we begin the process recognizing that even baby steps can take us on a healthier journey.
Taking responsibility
We can all make the most of our health by making a conscious decision to address our lifestyle. A few ways to prevent unneeded health problems are:
- Eating a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Avoiding foods high in fat, sugar, and salt.
- Exercising frequently and regularly.
- Avoiding tobacco and alcohol products.
- Receiving regular checkups and preventive tests.
- Talking to your doctor about your family history.
- Taking medication as directed.
- Practicing safe driving habits.
- Managing stress.
It’s important to have regular visits with your doctor and ask questions. Your physician can help you understand your own health status and what you can do to improve it.
Pay attention – your health may be telling you something!
By not paying attention to our health needs, we hinder rather than help ourselves. Many diseases and unnecessary complications can be avoided or controlled through simple measures and lifestyle choices.
Consider taking a look at some of these health education resources online to learn more about your health.
- Understand your past and reshape your future, with Your Health Story. (50KB .pdf file)
- Test yourself and research your health concerns with information from Caremark.
- Learn about steps you can take toward a healthier you at MyPyramid.gov.
- Questions and answers on surgical procedures at YourSurgery.com.
- Information for a healthier life from MayoClinic.com.
- Learn more about health issues affecting women at WomensHealth.gov.
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Resources for you
MMA offers a variety of print materials that may be helpful in your journey toward obtaining better health, including Partnering for wellness (.pdf), a program that emphasizes mutual encouragement and accountability by having you partner with a friend to achieve your goals. (Also available in Spanish, Colaborando para el bienestar (.pdf).)
If you are interested in taking classes focused on improving your health and wellness, MMA’s Stewardship University often offers courses on these topics. Visit the Stewardship University Web site to learn more. Or, your community may have opportunities for you. Classes are frequently offered for free or at a nominal expense at places such as:
- Hospitals or health centers,
- Fitness organizations,
- The local chapter of the American Red Cross, and
- Your county health departments.