The world of health care has changed radically in the past 10 years. The capacity to take charge of our own health, improve our lives and be healthier is greater than ever. But health statistics don’t reflect this. The number of people taking medication for pain, inflammation, depression and anxiety continues to rise. Our society is experiencing increasing obesity, diabetes and autoimmune conditions, cancer and heart disease.
We can Google any condition with the tap of a few keys, we can find an array of treatment options and even connect with people who have had first-hand experience of a problem like ours.
So why aren’t we feeling well? What’s not adding up?
A further paradigm shift is required to see this explosion in knowledge transfer into good health. We need to recognise that the true source of health and wellbeing rests with us, not outside us. I am responsible for my own health and wellbeing, with some obvious exceptions.
This can feel a bit scary when we have been raised and educated to view the body as a machine that will run along happily, until something goes wrong. When it does go wrong we go to someone who knows more than we do and can ‘fix it’. We are prescribed chemicals, have a bit cut out, talk to someone or undergo some other treatment.
But sadly this model is not an accurate representation of the body. It is mechanistic and no longer works, if it ever did.
A more useful view is to look on the body as a dynamic ecosystem. A system that always changes and adapts according to external and internal inputs and stimulus. The body is a living system, with a flow of energy and intelligence, balance and ingenious ways to maintain the balance.
The system is vital, whole and integrated, no part can be separated and isolated from another.
The causes of disease and illness can be multiple, interconnected and complex.
Our bodies have inbuilt self-healing mechanisms and wisdom.
The questions we could ask under this model rather than “who can help me, who will fix this or make this go away?”; would sound more like “what does my body need now?”, “what have I been doing or not doing that may have led to this state?”, “what is my body trying to tell me?” and “who can help me understand this more?”
In this model developing the capacity for self -awareness, an internal listening and inner wisdom are invaluable.
Maybe this type of learning will be what we aspire to teach ourselves and our children in the future, so we may better know ourselves, understand our bodies, read their internal signals and live with confidence, vitality and energy.
“In the long run, we shape our lives, and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.” ― Eleanor Roosevelt
I offer a complimentary 30min health coaching session if you would like to explore this further in your own life.