What Are The True Markers Of Real Health?

We tend to think of health as a binary state – either you’re healthy and well, or you’re not. But of course, with a little more thinking, we accept that this is a too-simplistic picture. You can twinge your ankle on the way to work that morning, suffer the rest of the day with aches you take light painkillers for, and still be generally healthy as you heal. Our bodies have the amazing ability to fend off so much and heal, but we do need to care for them appropriately.

For this reason, it’s important to be mindful of the true markers of real health, so that small bumps in the road don’t cause you undue stress or health anxiety. Moreover, if you have the fundamentals in place, any health challenges you suffer will be met with responsibility, self-care, and gentleness.

 

With that in mind, let’s consider the true markers of real health:

 

Sleep Quality & Relative Energy Levels

We’re unlikely to expect an individual going through rounds of chemotherapy to be as energetic and vibrant as someone who isn’t. But relative energy levels, such as being able to stay relatively alert, focused and able to manage tiredness each day are important to manage. Much of this comes from sleep quality, where regular bedtimes, good sleep hygiene, limited caffeine intake and any medications to help address health issues can help. Moreover, if both of these are affected, then speaking to your physician regarding general fatigue is essential.

 

Emotional Stability

There are many natural concerns that can affect your emotional stability and they’re not necessarily signs of deteriorating health. For example, a woman going through pregnancy cannot be expected to remain 100% steadfast with highly predictable emotions throughout – this is absolutely no insult towards expectant mothers, only that the vast array of bodily changes, tensions, strains and hormones would affect anyone, no matter who they were, during such a demanding physical process. However, general emotional stability, or at least addressed emotional turbulence through self-care, healthy expression, and the ability to voice concerns is a good goal to work on for most people, be that getting enough sleep, handling their stress, voicing anxieties and seeking assistance for struggles they’re going through. Often, not being afraid to admit you’re struggling is a mark of real health.

 

Self-Care Prescribed To Your Current Needs

The self-care methods used by a twenty-year-old are going to be different compared to someone in their eighties, and so cultivating your self-care regimen to you is key. For the former, working out in the gym can improve strength and flexibility, while for the latter, walking to the local store supported by a walker, glasses for corrective vision, and appropriately layered clothing is just as important. Altering our wellbeing methods to the needs of now, be that taking Piracetam powder, improving fish oil intake, enjoying Vitamin D capsules during the winter, health advice that is not personalized outside of the basics (sleep, diet, exercise), might not be as applicable. That’s why it’s good to gain an expert’s opinion, and also experiment to see which proven methods help you.

With this advice, we hope you can look to health and self-care from a different perspective, though make sure to always stick to official health advice over unproven holistic methods where possible.

*This is a collaboration post