A visit to a family physician usually includes a list of blood work findings that are considered abnormal and in need of immediate drug therapy.  But the physician rarely reviews any signs of health and wellness that have been shown to significantly correlate with vitality and wellness.   Medicine’s preoccupation with  your “signs of disease”  or “signs of upcoming death” and ignoring the simple signs of wellness is doing society an important disservice. 

Recently, the U.S. Task Force on Disease Prevention and Health Promotion delivered a report to the health care providers of the nation. They stated that “the most effective interventions available to clinicians for reducing incidence of disease and disability in the United States are those that address the personal health practices of patients.” 

Any wellness program must:

• significantly improve  health,
• reduce risk factors of disease and
• include many life-style change suggestions.

 Both are accomplished by engaging in the healthy living practices which are the essence of most Wellness programs.

A wellness program should reduce these Signs of Death:

• High total cholesterol
• High LDL cholesterol
• Low HDL cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Smoking
• Diabetes/High blood sugar
• Low aerobic exercise score
• Excess weight (BMI > 25, high waist girth)
• Tobacco use
• Drinking more than 1-2 drinks/day
• High fat diet
• Low fiber diet
• Fruits and vegetables less than 5/day
• Bowel disease
• No regular exercise
• Unusual shortness of breath
• Blood in stool
• Depression
• Low hours of sleep
• No good social support system

Any wellness program should encourage any/all  activities of Ten Signs of Wellness:

(McDermott & O’Conner, NLP and Health)

• An increased awareness and appreciation of yourself.
• A tendency to set aside time each day to relax or meditate.
• A persistent ability to maintain close relationships.
• A persistent ability to adapt to changing conditions.
• A chronic appetite for physical activity (and healthful foods).
• Acute and chronic attacks of laughter.
• A compulsion to take pleasure and fun.
• Repeated bouts of hope and optimism.
• A chronic condition of caring for your body.
• Recurrent rejection of worry.

 Please Increase the healthy practices of your life by living in accordance with your genetic heritage by:

•  Moving Well
• Eating Well
• Thinking Well
• Living Well

 Your will quickly find that improving your life-style will yield better health, vitality, and longevity.