How do you look after your health

[Islandescape]

I’ve just had a cancer scare, I had an appointment yesterday and was told everything is fine. I was so worried during the two week wait that I vowed to do everything possible to look after my health going forward.

I already exercise regularly and eat an ok diet, I just need to increase my fruit and veg intake. What else can I do? What do you do to look after yourself?

I was going to come on and say exercise regularly and eat an ok diet so not much help... All I can add is try and get 8 hours sleep a night and limit alcohol. Be interested to see what others do

Look into the benefits of a high fibre diet
Drink 2+ litres of water a day
Get enough sleep
De-stress
Avoid red meat

What a relief for you that you are well! These things really make you reevaluate don’t they

The older I get the more I think trauma affects physical health. Some is out of our control of course, but I think it's important to manage stress and purge unhealthy relationships.

Attend mammogram and smear test appointments when called. Annual skin check with dermatologist. 2 year check with gp - blood pressure checked, bloods taken etc. Annual eye test and dental visit
Then eat reasonably well and exercise

There's a programme on Radio 4 called Just One Thing, with (scientifically proven) little changes you can make to improve your physical or mental health.

I've started having a 30 second cold blast at the end of my shower and standing on one leg while I brush my teeth. I also try to eat as many different plants as I can and get regular exercise.

I need to lose weight, do a bit of strength work and drink less alcohol!

Following:

I need to do the same. I was thinking the other day that I need to up my fruit & veg, drink loads more water and walk a lot more.

I'm glad you're okay Op. Xx

Try to keep stress to a minimum. I realised too late how much stress and anxiety can have a real physical effect on the body.

exercise to music it helps me

Stress is the biggest thing. Of all the people I know who have entered old age with good health the one thing they all seem to have in common is the fact they don’t worry. My FIL is one example, he is 81 and he has eaten a fried breakfast every single morning since the age of 20. He drinks beer and red meat every day too. He doesn’t exercise and has a large belly. I have know him for 30 years and have never seen him stressed even when his great granddaughter and my mil passed away.
It’s is also luck as he is one of 8 and they have all gotten to live a good old age, his brother is 92.
I am fucked as I am a constant bundle of stress and anxiety!

All of the above...I think removing/ managing stress is vital. Put yourself first...prioritise your well being.

I have a few people in my life who've lived to good ages and kept v well. Several living to their 90s and over 100. My aunty was 113.

All of the stuff above is true re eating well, exercising etc but the common denominators in my family also seem to be really enjoying the life you have. And I mean more appreciating where you are and living in the moment. Not in a trite, FB meme #grateful type way. My aunt who lived to 113 had a husband who was killed on the Somme when she was in her twenties and she lived through terrible times but had a real perspective and determination to seek solace where she could, to rely on human interaction and the time she had. Likewise my granny who was one of 16 and lost siblings to TB and her brothers worked down a mine 14hrs a day. She had incredible fortitude and appreciation of what is good in life. My granny who is alive today is similar and in her 90s, still living independently and literally running up and down the stairs. She says the simple pleasures in life save her and what she means is bloody loving a cup of tea and a jigsaw whilst listening to the radio or going for a walk or tending her garden. They also all kept mentally sharp by continuing to engage, talking to people, forming new opinions, being politically aware, travelling, learning new skills and so on. Sharp minds which get them up and out.

And they all say staying slim/fit helps. Eating well and feeding their bodies the right stuff but not putting pressure on their joints and hearts or developing diabetes or exacerbating normal toil on the body.

All of the above comes with the caveat of luck and circumstance. That always decides things in the end and I'm aware of that. I suppose we have some little control over the small things if we are able to access them but they can all add up to an arsenal which equals improved health.

My disillusioned and socialist head could also rant about money and opportunity and equality because of course those things are part of a fabric of society which prevents access to health for many people.

And bloody magnificent news on the all clear. Long may you remain well.

All the above plus I listen to music. Put on an eye mask and just listen with no distractions

Glad you’re ok. To be honest, I would say, don’t worry about it and just enjoy life while you can. My mum and brother both died of cancer (my brother was in his 20’s and mum in her 60’s). They never smoked, mum never drank, both slim, did lots of exercise etc. I think sadly, if it’s going to get you, it’ll get you regardless.