Taking Self-Care Up a Notch

Self-Care is Health Care

I’ve noticed as I age our health care system becomes less and less concerned about the things which could shorten what’s left of my life here on Earth. As such, it’s up to me to schedule regular checkups, and follow through on referrals for things like mammograms and colonoscopies. One cancer scare is one too many for me, even if it was caught early enough for surgery to be the only thing necessary, beyond regular checkups with the oncologist for awhile.

Since busyness has been my excuse for putting things off, my current lack of busyness removed any excuses for taking care of the body that’s still doing incredibly well by me. Now that the annual boob squishing is behind me, I bit the bullet and scheduled the consult for the colonoscopy. Though I’m not looking forward to the procedure (and frankly, who does?), I’d “enjoy” undiagnosed, or late diagnosed issues far less.

As it’s becomes apparent people in my age group are more likely to develop health issues since, let’s face it, we’ve used and abused the parts for years, I’m making time for the poking and prodding, whether I like it or not. If nothing else, I’d like to hold on to the remainder of my parts as long as I’m alive and kicking.

Staying Active is its Own Reward

Even so, I must be doing something right. After a day when I closed all my rings and then some with circuit training, a 3-mile walk in the rain, and a few hours on the dance floor as well, the minor aches and pains (mostly in my legs) are a small, temporary price to pay, and nothing some extra stretching won’t cure. They’re also evidence I’m continuing to do right by this used and abused body of mine.

After almost 2 years of weekly circuit training (including shortly after surgery!), I’m seeing a huge difference in balance, flexibility, and of course, strength; all of which have kept me upright, and saved me from a few falls which could have ended badly. While friends are experiencing injuries, or going through hip and knee surgeries, I’m grateful for my body’s willingness to go through a regular regiment to keep it carrying me around, relatively pain-free for a few more years (decades?).

A huge advantage to less injuries and surgeries is being able to continue with the health and wellness activities which contribute to the things which keep me injury-free. It’s kind of a reverse Catch-22 where exercising, working out, and taking my supplements ensures I’m able to keep doing it all!

Breaking Family Patterns

As I think back to my mom at 59, her arthritis was definitely taking it’s toll, and her health was worse than mine is as I near 70. Sure, I have arthritis in my hands, hips, and knees like she did, but the regular activity where I keep pushing myself to do more means I suffer far less from it than she did, and tolerate it getting in my way even less. By the time my dad was in his 60’s he was walking with a stoop, and his activities were limited by emphysema and heaven only knows what else from years of smoking (a nasty habit I quit nearly 30 years ago!).

His excessive drinking probably didn’t help either, but I believe both he and my mom self-medicated for both mental and physical maladies all their adult lives. I’m grateful every day for having learned to love myself enough to avoid going down that road!

Like anyone, I’ve made some choices throughout my life that were real doozies, and I paid the price. But the choices I’ve made concerning my health in the last 30 years or so are proof positive those doozies weren’t for naught. The lessons and strength they gave me are the sustenance which supports me and better health than most of my immediate family members for today, and the foreseeable future.

Grateful for Better Choices

My gratitudes today are:

1. I’m grateful for choosing self-care over self-medication.
2. I’m grateful for the resiliency, strength, and balance I’m gaining by pushing myself a little further.
3. I’m grateful for opportunities to walk, dance, and have my butt kicked by my personal trainer.
4. I’m grateful for a higher than normal pain threshold which allows me to push through what I consider most of the time minimal pain.
5. I’m grateful for an increase in opportunities to dance, so I’m back up to twice a week most of the time.

About the Author

Sheri Conaway is a Holistic Ghostwriter, and an advocate for cats and mental health. Sheri believes in the Laws of Attraction, but only if you are a participant rather than just an observer. Her mission is to Make Vulnerable Beautiful. In her spare time, she’s also an accountant with extensive experience in Government Contracting.