Author: Annemie Becker

With the constant rise in the Cost of Living, and even more prominent, the constant rise in medical costs, it is just not affordable to fall ill!

We have way passed the era where we can hide behind our DNA as an excuse for our ill health. Science has proven that we inherit a maximum of 8-20% of our health issues, the rest is dictated by ineffective stress management, lifestyle choices and environmental factors! We have the ability to influence the expression of our genes by the way we think and act, thereby optimising our health potential! Yes: heart diseases, strokes, type 2 diabetes, and even cancers are mostly preventable or reversible.

Warning signs to respond to: If you experience one of the following: Increased blood pressure (greater than 130/85 mmHg), high blood sugar levels (insulin resistance), excess fat around the waist, high triglyceride levels, low levels of good cholesterol (HDL) – you are at risk of a heart disease. Three or more of the above symptoms lead to a diagnosis of metabolic syndrome and indicate that you need to take serious action. Because these are lifestyle related diseases, we have the choice to change our destiny! Join our series of Disease Management workshops.

Other factors that increase your risk are: Aging, a family history of metabolic syndrome, not getting enough exercise and women who have been diagnosed with poly-cystic ovary syndrome. The standard treatment of metabolic illnesses is to lose weight, quit smoking, and exercise 30 minute a day, 5 to 7 days a week. In the US, 23% of adults currently have metabolic syndrome.

Other lifestyle related illnesses are illnesses related to addictions, obesity and cancers.

There is nothing mystical we need to know or do to become more healthy! Medical research indicates the main factors of lowering your risk for metabolic illnesses, are: Losing weight, quitting smoking, exercising, getting regular medical check-ups, and managing your symptoms.

However, more and more evidence emerges on detailed actions to take to prevent, and even to reverse metabolic and other illnesses. Some of these activities are:

• Acknowledge the scientific reality that up to 95% of our illness are driven by our own fear, guilt, shame and stress responses
• Identify the stressors in our lives and take action!
• Eliminate, lower or bypass environmental and other toxins
• Take action to let go of unproductive emotions, forgive yourself and others
• Accept that human beings make mistakes, and that includes you!
• Strive for excellence rather than perfection
• Practice breathing, mindfulness, and other techniques on a regular basis to lower your stress levels
• Defining stress as a positive driving force to reach your goals, has proven to demolish the negative impact of stress
• Get daily physical exercise
• Become wiser on your dietary decisions and choices
• Discern wisely when you use alcohol, all other drugs, including “over the counter” or prescription drugs
• Chew well! “Drink your food and eat your drinks”
• Consider daily intermittent fasting of 12 to 18 hours
• Spend ample time outdoors in your garden, a park, or in nature
• Start your own organic veggie garden!
• Spend quality time with yourself and your loved ones
• Learn to live with gratitude on a daily basis
• Reach out to people in need
• Make spiritual growth a priority in your life

Participation in the organisation’s wellness programme, is maybe the easiest way to keep yourself focused on your personal wellness goals, educate yourself on important wellness topics and latest research, connect with like-minded people, and to get specific support and coaching when needed.

Sources: Healthline.com, Healthinsight.co.za