Gratiot Area Chamber of Commerce

	Member Directory
	About the Chamber
	About our Community
	Board of Directors
	Business-School Alliance
	Chamber Committees
	Community Calendar
	Membership Application
	Member Benefits
	Member Fees
	Newsletter
	Electronic Newsletter Sign up
Contact GACofC:
	Patricia F. Nelson, Executive Director 110 W. Superior Street P.O. Box 516 Alma, MI 48801 PH: +1 (989) 463-5525 FX: +1 (989) 463-6588 Email: chamber@gratiot.org

Health is wealth

By Gregg J. Stefanek, DO

The average life expectancy today is over 77 years of age. In 1930 this figure was under 60 years of age. The major reason for us living longer is the vast reduction in deaths from infections like pneumonia and tuberculosis. Deaths from major cardiovascular diseases, still the leading cause of death in this country, peaked in the 1960’s, and have gone down since. Also, deaths from cancer increased every year until the 1990’s and since have gone down slightly. Today health, more than ever before, is directly related to the way you choose to live your life. Is that good news or bad news for you? I hope for most of us it is comforting to know that we have a large measure of control over not only how long we will live but how we will feel as we get older.

Below is the Health-22 which you can use to assess your personal “state of the union”. How many can you answer yes to?

1. I am in a happy, loving monogamous relationship or am single with a good social support system.
2. I have loving or supportive relationships and feel connected to those around me.
3. I am physically active daily and include aerobic, flexibility, or strength training activities on most days.
4. I do not use tobacco in any form.
5. I know what my ideal body weight is and am within 5 pounds of it.
6. I do not have more that two alcoholic drinks a day.
7. I do not engage in any activities because of compulsion or addiction.
8. I eat a balanced diet without getting too many calories.
9. My life has purpose and meaning.
10. I know what is important to me and that is where I spend my time.
11. I get adequate sleep because I wake up refreshed and have good energy all day.
12. I have control over my daily schedule so that I have time to take care of myself.
13. I consider myself a life-long learner.
14. I have positive self-image.
15. I enjoy what I do for a living.
16. I have several healthy ways to recreate or relax, know when and how to use them, and use them on a regular basis.
17. I have a spirit of forgiveness, altruism, kindness, and compassion.
18. I do not take unnecessary risks.
19. I have a positive attitude and refrain from being critical of others.
20. I know what my blood pressure and cholesterol are and am actively trying to improve them if necessary.
21. I know what health problems I have or might be at risk for and am being treated or screened for them.
22. I consider myself a happy person and have control over how I feel.

How did you do? If you answered yes to all of them then Mother Teresa move over you got company. If you are like me, you have a lot of room for improvement. I realize we are all at different stages of life which dictate how actively we are pursuing improvement. But when it comes to our health, there is no reason to wait until tomorrow. Before you know it, years of tomorrows go by and no real change has been made. Are you giving up your health to gain wealth? When you get that wealth will you be using it to try and regain lost health?

Remember, wellness does matter.

Gregg J. Stefanek, DO
gstefanek@gratiotfamilypractice.com