Are you healthy? Many reading this will immediately answer “yes” without giving it another thought. What is the definition of being “healthy”? Do you think it is a person who never gets a cold or the flu? Is it someone who is not on any prescription medications or never goes to the doctor? There are many “unhealthy” people walking around that just don’t know it or just don’t want to be told differently. Are you one of those people?
Health is so much more than just the absence of symptoms. When someone is healthy, all the parts are working together in sync– just like a well-tuned engine. Think of your body like you would your car. It can look good on the outside, but be a lemon on the inside. There are many people who physically look great, but unknowingly have a condition that could shorten their life.
A good example is heart disease. Did you know that the most common first symptom of heart disease is sudden death? And why do you think high blood pressure called “the silent killer”. You can’t tell that an individual is hypertensive by looking at them! How about the fact that melanoma, a deadly form of skin cancer, can occur in non-sun exposed areas of the body?
We can trade in our car, but we can’t trade in our body. If it gives out too early, we can’t enjoy all the good things that life has to offer. Take a minute to be introspective about your health. Is it time you looked “under the hood” and made a realistic assessment of how your engine is running? Don’t wait too late to schedule a “tune-up”. This simple step might save your life!