subject: Take Personal Responsibility For Your Health [print this page] Take Personal Responsibility For Your Health
You Are Your Own Best Hope
by Michael D. Hume, M.S.
Too many of my clients and colleagues are letting their health habits slide. Maybe they feel they're just too busy with other things. Some actually trust in the medical system to "fix" whatever they need fixing, whenever the time comes. But you mustn't do that. You are your own best hope for a long, healthy life.
In America, the politicians on both sides continue to fight about "health care reform," which (politically speaking) has not much to do with health, care, or reform. One side had all the power a year ago, and decided to sneak through a massive piece of "health care" legislation the public generally didn't want, using dubious practices (even for politicians). A year later, the other side has a mandate from November's election to do what they can to unravel that legislation... but this week, they found a $105 billion booby-trap in the law that essentially funds itself.
Sneaky.
There's still hope that this monstrous bill will be removed and replaced with meaningful medical reforms based on the power of the free market - the next round of bargaining will be around approval of continued funding of the federal government only on condition that those billions be returned to the taxpayers. And maybe the sort of "government shut-down" that might follow (where some non-essential programs are suspended from spending more money while the elected officials sort things out) wouldn't be all that bad an idea. ANY time-out from government spending might be worthwhile! But the point is, I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for the government to take care of us all, especially in terms of medical care.
Instead, bet on yourself. Take personal responsibility for keeping yourself as healthy as possible, delaying or avoiding any dependence upon government health care.
How's your energy, your vitality, your general sense of well-being? Take charge of it, right away. Start with the five daily health habits I call "The NEWSS" - Nutrition (start by cutting the garbage from your diet), Exercise (get your heart rate up into the aerobic zone at least 3 times a week), Water (drink two liters every day), Sleep (get your eight hours every night), and Supplements (take at least one good multi-nutrient). Slowly develop more and more discipline on these five habits, and your energy and vitality will improve.
Things are tough, and they're likely to get worse before they get better. You'll need your energy and vitality for a variety of pursuits, from doing less with more at work to running a business to supporting your extended family. So the time is now to make sure you have something to give. Take personal responsibility for it. Don't depend on hope and change to protect your own most important asset: your health.
