Health, happiness forever – Health and Happiness – Castanet.net

Photo: Austin Schmid on Unsplash

Thank you, Castanet, for giving me a platform to share my passion for preventative medicine.

As my year with the publication draws to a close, Id like to look back on past articles and offer a roundup of my advice to live happy and healthy.

Throughout the last year, Ive written my Spotlight Series, a series of articles that focus on common and preventable diseases. From heart disease to dementia, diabetes to arthritis, these articles look at the aetiology and pathology of the disease, as well as the signs and symptoms.

Most important, the articles explore what we can do to help prevent these conditions from even starting.

There is a common thread that runs through every article:

Eating well means vegetables, fruit, fibre lets focus on what we can eat, not what we cant. We are incredibly lucky to live in the Okanagan, with fruit stands around every corner; it couldnt be easier to eat local, fresh produce.

Exercising is different for everyone, but again I marvel at how many wonderful opportunities we have to exercise in the Okanagan.

Whether you want to bike, run, ski, hike, swim, paddle board, go to the gym or enjoy yoga, its all on our doorstep. Weve had to get creative since COVID-19; traditional gym classes are out, so weve entered the age of Zoom dance lessons and socially distanced yoga.

Whatever you enjoy doing, do it. Raise your heart rate and get your body moving; your heart, lungs and joints will love you for it.

Ive also written about COVID-19, and how it has affected our community. From rounding up the latest information about vaccines to encouraging everyone to wear masks, socially distance and follow guidelines, it has been the dominating health news story and a prominent feature in my column.

However, our health shouldnt be dominated by conversations around COVID-19. In April last year, I encouraged you to think about your other health concerns, and make sure they didnt get ignored during the pandemic.

That sentiment stands more than ever; if youre due for an appointment, blood work or a physical, please get it booked.

Lastly, Ive continually written about the importance of mental health. From mental health first aid, to lowering stress in aid of heart disease and the impacts of COVID-19 on our mental health, Ive discussed how crucial it is to check in with ourselves and our loved ones.

If you think youre experiencing mental health issues, I urge you to please see your family doctor, or at least speak to someone about how youre feeling.

Even if youre not concerned about your mental health, please remember to be kind to yourself. It has been an incredibly challenging year for so many reasons, and its taken its toll on us all. Give yourself some slack.

Be kind to others and be kind to yourself. Eat well, exercise, and look after your mental health.

Thank you for taking the time to read this, and all my articles; it has been a pleasure to write for you.

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Health, happiness forever - Health and Happiness - Castanet.net