Three Tips for the Why and How of Becoming Your Own Best Health Advocate

By Esther Sarlo, BA, Founder | CEO | Myndful Spark of www.MyndMyself.com

As I sit at my computer today in preparation for a remote conversation with my 87-year-old mother’s medical doctor, this question drives home even more profoundly. As my mother’s Enduring Power of Attorney (in both her finances AND her health) it is my job to help her navigate the tricky terrain that arises as she continues to age.

I imagine you might be at the stage of life when you’re starting to think of what will happen with your aging parents. If so, GREAT! The sooner you start planning and preparing for this eventuality, the better. If not, I highly recommend that you start now. There is no time like the present!

Tip #1: Notice and Assess Your Own Health Status

The best way to ensure that your parents are taken care of adequately in their old age is…to MAKE SURE YOU ARE AS HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE! Trust me. If you are not as healthy as you can be, what might be a difficult task could become monumental!

But let’s backtrack for a bit here. Let’s not talk about anyone else but YOU.

If you’re 40+ (or even if you’re approaching 40), I know you’ve been noticing things about your body that you never used to have to pay attention to. Things like:

Junk ‘food’ that you used to binge on with gleeful abandon isn’t sitting so well these days.
The effects from over-indulging in alcohol may be worse and longer-lasting.
Getting by on less than 7 or 8 hours of sleep is becoming increasingly difficult.
Visible wrinkles or lines appear in places you never had them before (even if they’re small right now).
Your skin might feel a bit dryer or thinner or less elastic.
Workouts are a bit more challenging…and recovery time can take a bit longer.
Every once in awhile you forget things that used to be top of mind.

I’m sure none of these are surprising ‘facts’ for you. However, knowing that it happens to ‘those old people over there’ and experiencing some of this in yourself is an entirely different matter!

Tip #2: Setting Yourself Up for Optimal Health

Yes, it’s happening to you, too. Some of this is inevitable…However, there are lots of great things you can do to set yourself up for amazing health as you age!

As Steve Jobs said in his final essay, “The six best doctors in the world are sunlight, rest, exercise, diet, self-confidence, and friends.”

Start to really pay attention to the signals your body is giving you!
As you notice what’s working, emphasize that (body, mind, and spirit.)
Of course, you need to pay attention to what’s not working as well, but if you just focus on what’s not working, then you miss huge opportunities to be proactive.
Be honest with yourself!!! No one will benefit more than YOU!

Tip #3: Taking Specific Action

If you have a Doctor (which is not a given these days), check in regularly and ensure that your PAP tests, breast exams, and general physicals are up to date.
Whether you do or do not have a GP, check out Complementary, Holistic, and Integrative (CHI) Healthcare Approaches to support you. When was the last time you had an awesome Massage? Or consulted with a Dr. of Traditional Chinese Medicine? Or had some other form or Body or Energy work done? Or did a Functional/Live Blood Analysis session with an expert to get a sense of what’s going on inside you at the cellular level?
Insist on getting more than one opinion – especially on the ‘big’ things! Ask for it. Demand it. You’re worth it!
Ensure that your eating…and hydration habits support you. Get the best possible quality of food and water that is available to you…and nourish your body.
Move regularly…doing things you enjoy.
Create great sleep habits.
Engage with people who support your magnificence. The last 2+ years have spotlighted even more profoundly how important this is.
Believe that you’ve got this!!!

For help exploring any of these actions or learning more about Complementary, Holistic, and Integrative (CHI) Health, please visit https://www.myndmyself.com.

Why do you need to do this? Because YOU matter!

As a voice for the body’s role in healing and wholeness in the universe, Esther Sarlo is an entrepreneur, facilitator, speaker, and writer who is passionately committed to making it easier for you to connect to trusted Complementary, Holistic, and Integrative (CHI) Health information and Practitioners so you can live…and speak…your most authentic life.