Time to take stock of your health

As we close out this year, it is time to take stock of your health and the progress you’ve made during the year. The next step is not to lament if progress was not made but rather to look at what your goals are and what you are willing to do to achieve them this coming year.

I often tell my patients that we are all works in progress. I say this because our bodies are changing, and one must be alert to take note of these changes, or they will indeed slip up on us. Though one would love to say they look, feel and behave the same as they did some five or ten years ago, the reality is certainly different. The body is aging and with each second, we are getting older and entering a different phase of life.

As we greet 2025, let me share some thoughts about how to care for your body. First, take responsibility for the body you inhabit. You may not be as good looking as you would like, nor as tall as you may have wanted to be but realize it is the body that you have, and you cannot go to a department store and pick out another updated model. Take exquisite care of the one you have with all its quirks and peculiarities that make you the person you are.

Keep up with your health numbers. Know your numbers: blood pressure, cholesterol, kidney function and sugar level. This is especially important if there is a family history of these problems and if possible, know your family medical history. It does not mean you are destined to have these ailments, but knowledge is power.

Family medical history may in some cases “place the bullet in the gun,” but your lifestyle is what pulls the trigger. Your health is one of those lifestyle non-negotiables. How you live your life is the trigger for many diseases and ailments.

Sleep has been rated as one of the main determinants of longevity. One’s sleep must be restful and restorative. You need deep sleep and good REM (rapid eye movement) sleep which is when one is dreaming. It is during sleep when the body heals itself and the brain cleanses itself and consolidates memory. Good sleep hygiene is a non-negotiable lifestyle component.

Another non-negotiable lifestyle component is the food that you place in your body. Yes, it is well known that many people suffer from food insecurity. Inaccessibility to food makes this non-negotiable lifestyle component even more damaging to many people. Equally important is food quality. The types of foods you eat can be a huge determinant of health and longevity.

More studies show that diets that are heavy in sugar contribute to more health problems. Please remember that includes any American wheat products such as bread, pasta, potatoes and rice, which are converted by the body into sugar. Eating white bread is like eating sugar. If you have a family history of diabetes, the typical American diet can pull the trigger of that gun.

Preservatives and food additives have also been shown to be detrimental to your health. Thus, a diet of fresh or frozen food without preservatives, additives or pesticides is the best diet for good health. It does require intentionality to eat this way.  Eliminating the convenience of fast foods or pre-prepared foods requires more cooking at home so you know what is in the food you consume. This will ensure better health.

It is also important to avoid sugary sodas, juices and any drinks with artificial sweeteners. Remember to drink lots of water, not from plastic containers.

In addition to following a healthy diet, add at least 150 minutes of exercise weekly to your activities.

The statement, “You are what you eat” is absolutely true. As we greet 2025, let us welcome it by eating and exercising with intentionality. Make being healthy a lifestyle non-negotiable. Happy New Year!

Dr. Veita Bland is a board-certified Greensboro physician and hypertension specialist. Dr. Bland’s radio show, “It’s a Matter of Your Health,” can be heard live on Wednesdays, 5:30 p.m. on N.C. A&T State University’s WNAA, 90.1 FM. Listeners may call in and ask questions. The show is replayed on Sirius 142 at 5 p.m. on Wed. Email Dr. Bland at ideas@blandclinicpa.com.