Author's note: This column is intended for educational purposes only. It aims to highlight gaps in health knowledge, provide support and empower organizations to guide their members in creating …
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Author's note: This column is intended for educational purposes only. It aims to highlight gaps in health knowledge, provide support and empower organizations to guide their members in creating effective health and wellness programs.
Health feels theoretical, until it isn’t. Most people live for the absence of symptoms, not the presence of health. We have been programmed to be aware of symptoms and, if they are present, to see a doctor for medication to relieve them. We want a quick fix, and with the proliferation of pharmaceuticals, it appears to be the answer. It isn’t.
This is not meant to disparage people who take medication needed to live productive lives or to relieve nagging symptoms. However, treating the whole body is necessary for sustained physical and mental health, including good nutrition, quality sleep, physical activity, rest or meditation and spiritual healing.
Disconnecting from your health does not happen all at once. It takes place through a quiet acceptance of “whatever this is, it can wait.” Fatigue, poor sleep and anxiety are learned disconnections from the body. You do not “feel” high blood pressure, metabolic dysfunction or cancer until the symptoms worsen or a test reveals the truth. People who seek the truth become overwhelmed when health information is contradictory. “Studies” are sometimes so limited as to be unhelpful. “Scientific” articles are often written by the same pharmaceutical company that is promoting your medication. Bias appears everywhere in the medical community, making it difficult for laypeople to understand how to apply what is true and useful to their health. Disconnecting becomes a form of self-protection: “I don’t know what to do, so I won’t do any of it.”
A loss of agency in the system stems from not feeling respected, being rushed through appointments, condescending attitudes or being reduced to a diagnosis or prescription rather than a person with a life. In the nursing community, we believe in treating the “whole” person — physical, mental, emotional and spiritual, because each of those areas affects the healing process.
The good news is that reconnection does not require a complete overhaul. It begins with being mindful: one thought, one symptom, one slight change at a time.
It has become acceptable in society to report that you feel tired all the time, are stressed and get too little sleep. People carry internal beliefs that say, “I’ve always been like this, it runs in my family, or I prefer to be busy all the time.” These beliefs are not casual — they shape behavior. Health becomes identity-driven. When dysfunction becomes the norm, making change feels optional rather than necessary.
Maintaining good health is more difficult in isolation, when no one notices your decline, encourages change or actively supports you. This is another opportunity for faith and civic groups to recognize and support those who live alone or face adversity by offering acceptance and assistance. My years as a home health nurse revealed what really takes place behind closed doors. People who say “I’m fine” in public are hurting at home — without anyone noticing.
Many give up on improving their health after years of trying and failing, dieting and regaining, medication without improvement and feeling dismissed by those who claim to care. It is about disconnection, feeling overwhelmed, loss of control, a need for emotional protection and a society that treats people as problems to manage rather than humans to understand. People quietly conclude, “This is just how it is.” That is not laziness. That is fatigue of the spirit.
It begins with small steps, such as being mindful of what you eat and how much and how often you drink water, establishing a set bedtime schedule and routine, taking a short walk after dinner with the kids or the dog and having a real conversation with one other person about how you are feeling. Leaders in the faith and civic community can create community-based entry points by making health conversations thoughtful and inviting. Find out what your members need, want or are interested in health-wise. Become aware of people who are struggling and hook them up with those who can help. It is your responsibility to make the connection.
Because pretending everyone is okay is avoiding reality, and you just lost your purpose.
Dr. Cheryl Christy is a Baldwin County resident and registered nurse with nearly 30 years of experience. She holds master's degrees in nursing education and nursing practice and a doctorate in nursing practice. She is a member of Sigma Theta Tau, Phi Pi Chapter, a certified lay counselor and the author of "Voices for Healthcare," a health care blog.
Read her previous column titled "Opting out: When patients walk away from traditional health care" on www.GulfCoastMedia.com.
