Our health is our most valuable resource. When our health is threatened, it quickly becomes obvious that the things that tend to preoccupy us suddenly seem much less important. It’s in these most vulnerable times that we scramble for information; we have biopsies, scans, blood tests. We consult with experts, we pray, we hope for the best.

Sadly, it often takes a crisis to bring us to our senses, to remind us that our wellbeing is the central pillar that underpins whether we get to enjoy our life. If we’re fortunate, we get a second chance, the tests are negative, or the treatment is successful. 

There is another option, other than waiting for a crisis to jolt you into action, and that is to take charge of your own wellbeing.

When it comes to our bodies and minds, I like to think we are our own ‘resident experts’. We might consult with ‘outside’ experts to get more information and to help make sense of what we’re experiencing, but nobody else can tell us how we feel. It means that we are responsible for listening to what our bodies are telling us and acting on those prompts. It means not ignoring persistent symptoms even when they are relatively minor, as the body usually starts trying to get our attention gently before upping the ante if it keeps getting ignored.

It’s also important to get the right advice. Personally, I prefer to work with health experts who consider the body and mind holistically and seek help to find the reason why symptoms are arising and treat the cause, rather than just try and mask the symptoms. I like to try and understand what my body is telling me. I also like to work with practitioners who seek to empower, who understand that they are most helpful when they give me the insights and the tools that I need to create sustained wellbeing without having to rely on ongoing treatment once the symptoms are resolved.

There are no guarantees. However, we know that, at the end of the day, if we don’t accept responsibility for our wellbeing, we are much more likely to have our health outcomes taken out of our hands. Eating the nutritious food or getting up off the couch to go for a walk doesn’t make us bulletproof but taking action to benefit our health gives us the best chance.

Get all the latest Canberra news, sport, entertainment, lifestyle, competitions and more delivered straight to your inbox with the Canberra Daily Daily Newsletter. Sign up here.