The Case For Investing In Your Most Valuable Asset: Your Health

If you ask people to name their most prised possession, the majority will probably think of their house, their car, a piece of jewellery or any other object that’s worth a lot of money.

While material items make our lives easier and more pleasant by enhancing our safety and comfort, the most important asset that one can ever have in life is health. It’s not for nothing that we have the saying health is wealth. 

If you’re physically and mentally healthy, there’s not much stopping you from achieving anything you put your mind to. That’s not to say those who suffer from a medical condition or have a disability cannot reach their goals, but it’s certainly easier to go through life and overcome challenges with a perfectly healthy mind and body. 

Most of us take health for granted, thinking that our bodies will forever stay in great shape and we’ll never get sick. Unfortunately, daily stressors, poor lifestyle habits, and time eventually take their toll, leading to a myriad of health issues that can affect your life and well-being. Many of these common health risks and problems are perfectly preventable. 

Seen from this perspective, it makes more sense to invest in your health more than in anything else, so here’s how to do it consciously and wisely. 

Focus on preventive care 

There’s no arguing that prevention is better than cure. Most people only go to the doctor when they feel like something’s amiss or when they experience serious symptoms that they can no longer ignore, which is unfortunate because doing so can significantly increase health risks. What could have been an easily treatable condition, if caught early on, may turn into a chronic issue or even a life-threatening emergency. 

While there’s no need to rush to your physician’s office for every minor ache and complaint, you can save yourself a lot of headaches – some quite literal – and money by being cautious and taking a proactive approach when it comes to healthcare. You can do that by: 

• scheduling regular check-ups that allow doctors to identify health problems before they escalate into something more serious
• staying up to date with immunizations 
• getting screening tests for the most common health problems. These include pap smears, mammograms, clinical breast exams, blood pressure determination, cholesterol level, etc. 
• taking advantage of preventive counselling services so you make more informed health choices or manage a health condition more effectively. 

Educate yourself 

Do you know how health insurance works, how to access your medical records or what qualifies as medical negligence? Are you up to date with advances in the medical field that can positively impact your health?

While many people want to improve their health and are willing to make efforts in this respect, their options are limited by their lack of knowledge on health matters, which often prevents them from making any real progress. 

Without an adequate level of health literacy, one can find it extremely difficult, if not impossible in some cases, to access, understand and benefit from the health services and resources they need to address specific concerns and achieve optimum health.

That’s why it’s extremely important to take every opportunity you have to learn about relevant health issues and advance your education in this area. 

Start by taking advantage of the numerous online resources that provide accurate and pertinent health information on different topics of interest. Talk to your doctors openly about your concerns, and don’t hesitate to ask for further explanations and clarifications on aspects that you don’t fully grasp.

Request information from medical providers in a language that you understand. You can also have a family member or friend accompany you on medical visits to ensure you don’t miss any important details.  

The more knowledgeable you become, the easier it’s going to be to make the best decisions regarding your wellbeing and take control of your health journey.  

Choose your doctors wisely  

Doctors play a key role in helping patients achieve their health goals, as they possess the expertise and skills to accurately diagnose and treat all types of medical conditions. Therefore, choosing the right healthcare providers and building a good relationship with them should be high on your list of priorities. 

But how does one go about finding a good practitioner? There are several aspects you need to take into consideration when searching for sound medical care. This includes: 

• deciding on the type of doctor you need
• asking for referrals from people you trust
• checking credentials 
• considering location and accessibility
• paying attention to doctors’ bedside manner and the way they communicate
• preparing a list of questions you want to ask them on your first in-person visit

Stay active and eat a balanced diet 

Healthcare providers can only do so much to improve your health. They cannot force you to change your habits or adopt certain practices and behaviours, so the power to transform your health lies in your hands. 

This means it’s your responsibility to make the necessary changes that can help you live a healthier and more fulfilling life, and you can start by focusing on two major aspects: exercise and nutrition. Engaging in regular physical activity is one of the best things you can do for yourself as it can provide you with numerous health benefits, from strengthening your bones and improving your mood and energy levels to reducing the risk of developing certain conditions and diseases.   

Similarly, eating more fresh and whole foods and cutting back on processed foods that don’t have any nutritional value can make a huge difference to your overall health.  

Bottom line 

Investing in your health is the smartest investment you can make as it will provide you with significant returns in the form of a stronger mind and body and a happier life. So, make sure you never compromise when it comes to your health and well-being.