Depending upon the moment I ask you this question, you may answer ‘yes’ or ‘no’. Modern life seems to be a competition for our time and attention. Even the basics of family life, work, necessary travel and service to others can fill every waking moment. Leisure activities may be sacrificed. Since our bodies operate automatically, for the most part, our focus is usually directed outward. We might do no more than the minimum of feeding and servicing it, much like we do our cars. It is not uncommon to wait for the body’s trouble light to come on when we feel a drop in energy, pain in some part or difficulty sleeping to name a few common signs.

In such a scenario we are not really thinking ‘choice’ but rather looking for a quick repair to get back on our schedule for doing everything else in life. This degree of neglect tends to be more obvious if practiced into our later years. It is not unusual for a person to depend on several medications by the age of 60, even though our lifespan is projected to be closer to 80 in most of the ‘advanced nations’. Did we really plan to be medically dependent for two decades or are we likely to shorten our lives by ignoring our true health needs?

Have you noticed this? The person, who gets a diagnosis of a certain serious condition, applies a new descriptor to themselves, such as arthritic, diabetic, asthmatic….to indicate that they accept certain health limitations and now see themselves as limited. It is not a big step to create a new persona in that light – someone who gives up sports, declines invitations and so on. They accept their doctor referring to himself, or herself, as the person’s ‘primary care physician’ and see their role as very secondary to what the experts provide in care.

More effort and self reflection is required to see past the immediate medical assessment of this newly identified weakness in one or other body system. A person might choose to investigate healthy practices to overcome this weakness and strengthen other aspects of health. This does not necessarily compete with the medical care; it is complementary to it and can grow in importance as health returns. One must begin to take charge of one’s health and see the doctors as playing a background role and available in case of any emergency.

Planet Health is for the person who wants to become as healthy as possible and prevent chronic illness from developing. In some cases we are able to reverse such a condition and restore optimum function of that body system. You will hear the term ‘metabolic health’ used to describe a whole person approach. In this case you are not waiting for medical intervention with surgery, or with drugs that block or stimulate a particular function. There is the sense that our bodies are naturally inclined to be healthy and to age gracefully.