Freedom to Choose
“The quality of your life is built on the quality of your decisions” – Wesam Fawzi
Many of the decisions we are making day to day are directly impacting our health. What we choose to eat, what time we go to sleep and wake up, and whether we choose to move our bodies and get some exercise. For many of us, these decisions are within our control. That doesn’t mean we always make the best choice; however, we know that a bowl of ice cream for supper will not benefit the function of our body like a well-balanced meal would. We know that taking time for a walk outside is better than parking on the couch from the time we get home until we go to bed. Over time these series of poor health decisions can lead us down a path of sickness and disease.
In our society the typical response to sickness and disease is medication. In fact, 66% of the adult population in the US utilizes prescription drugs and 24% are taking 3 or more. Have we ever taken the time to ask ourselves, is the medication making us healthy? Is the decision to take prescription medication moving us closer to true health? Of course, every situation is going to look different, and there isn’t a one size fits all for health, which is why it is so important to ask questions, seek second opinions, and find a provider that supports the health goals of you and your family. Despite having the most expensive health care system and consuming 87% of the world’s supply of prescription drugs, the United States ranks last overall compared with six other industrialized countries—Australia, Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom—on measures of quality, efficiency, access to care, equity, and the ability to lead long, healthy, and productive lives. Why aren’t we considering a different approach? The world health organization suggests that lifestyle changes could prevent 80% of chronic diseases and premature death.
Health care freedom is the ability to choose and have access to more non-traditional healthcare. It’s finding a provider that aligns with the decisions you desire to make for your health. It’s having the ability to say no when you don’t agree with a treatment plan. Most importantly it’s finding a provider that encourages you to create lifestyle changes, to work towards true health, and remind you that your body was created to heal. So, ask yourself, what decision could you make today to help you move closer to the healthy life you desire to live? Afterall, your health depends on it.
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