A Balancing Act

Maria, a 45 year-old high school teacher is diagnosed with diabetes. Not unlike other newly diagnosed people with diabetes, Maria feels anxious__ like she is losing control of her life. However, after about six months, things start to look a little brighter. Maria begins eating more nutritious foods, exercising 4 days a week, drinking plenty of water, and on most nights gets at least 8 hours of sleep. She feels better, energy returns, and her love for teaching intensifies.

Unfortunately, as life would have it, over the next few years, living becomes more hectic for Maria. Children, family, and work schedules are exhausting. Consequently, she starts eating more processed and fast foods, reduces her exercise and sleep time. (Life stressors make it less likely one will choose health-promoting behaviors)

After missing several medical appointments, she returns to see her personal care physician. Her physician observes changes not only in her physical health (very high blood sugar) but also in her emotional state (overwhelming sadness and disheveled appearance). Now what?

In this fast-paced, time constraint society with multiple pressure points, a return to unhealthy habits usually occurs insidiously. Luckily, Maria’s physician understood the havoc a chronic condition has on one’s life. So, she helps to guide Maria back to a healthier path.

Diabetes challenges individuals to make healthy behavior choices almost every waking hour. I need to check my blood sugar… I’ll check it later… I need to exercise. I’ll be late for work…I’ll exercise after work. I need to eat a healthy breakfast…I don’t have time. I’ll stop by Mac Duck on the way to work and get a bite. Oops, I forgot to take my insulin before leaving home. And, it’s only morning! I’ll make better health decisions before lunch and dinner.

While conditions like diabetes may cause persons to feel more overwhelmed and distressed, many people without chronic conditions find themselves making unhealthy life choices as well.

The call to a balanced healthy life is not just for a subset of the population unlucky enough to be diagnosed with conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure. Rather, it is an opportunity for families, communities, churches, and schools to change to healthier lifestyles.

To be sure, individuals with chronic conditions can teach families and communities a lot about healthy living. If they had to impart some words about health, they would probably say something like this:
” Health is more than the absence of disease. Health is a way of life, a habit that enables one to meet and adjust to day-to-day challenges with more than a modicum of strength. Will you join me in this new health journey? Let’s make this an opportunity for the entire family to start eating to live, resting to get revived, and exercising not just to survive but also to thrive.”