It’s only March, but if you’re like most people, some of those New Year’s resolutions you made with the best intentions may already have fallen by the wayside. But don’t be too hard on yourself.
Change is not easy. We all know we should quit smoking, lose weight or find better ways to manage stress. But with the daily demands of work, family responsibilities, long commutes and everything else in our busy lives, it’s not unusual to lapse in pursuit of our goals or make a number of false starts before we figure out a path to success that fits our rhythms.
Before trying to kick a bad habit, find ways to incorporate more physical activity into daily routines or to eat a healthier diet. It might be helpful to reflect on what motivates us to make such changes.
As a doctor, I used to talk with patients about the physical benefits of cutting back on unhealthy habits or starting new, healthier ones. And while the physical benefits of healthy living are undeniable, many patients and the insightful influence of the Sisters of Mercy at St. Mary’s Hospital in San Francisco taught me there are other benefits that may be even more important.
When we succeed at making a positive lifestyle change, we feel better about ourselves — not just physically, but emotionally, too. These successes can help us be a better spouse, parent, co-worker or friend. Studies show that rather than responding to pressure to change, we’re much more likely to be successful when we’re truly ready and committed to making a change for ourselves and for the people who matter to us.
We often talk about the threat of chronic disease to our health. That’s important, but we’re increasingly also realizing the value of a more holistic definition of wellness. The World Health Organization, for example, defines wellness to include complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not just the absence of disease and other ailments.
Next month, HMSA will launch HMSA Well-Being Connection, an interactive set of tools, services, programs and support that can help individuals partner with their personal physician to improve their physical, emotional and social well-being. Well-Being Connection will help our members learn about their health in the WHO sense. They’ll start with the Healthways Well-Being Assessment, an easy, interactive survey that asks questions about all facets of their health. They can take the survey online at no cost at hmsa.com. The assessment helps our members create their own plan to improve the aspects of well-being that matter most to them.
At HMSA we’re always looking for ways to help our members and everyone in our island community stay healthy. This includes all aspects of well-being: physical, mental, emotional and social health. We want island residents, especially our members, to have access to the best services, tools and information to achieve holistic health in their life. The reason is simple: Empowering people to prevent or manage chronic conditions helps them avoid debilitating consequences, enjoy greater well-being and, quite simply, a better quality of life.
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Dr. John Baleix is an HMSA medical director responsible for guiding the insurer’s patient-centered medical home initiative, and is a former health-initiatives consultant to military treatment facilities in Hawaii.
