Transformative Wellness Wednesday: Embrace Change for a Thriving 2025!

To begin with, I’d like to wish Guam a Happy New Year!

I hope you and your families experience all the best in the coming year. In 2025, it’s difficult to comprehend that despite significant advancements in healthcare, millions are still afflicted by avoidable chronic conditions.

Not only are we in poorer health than ever before, at this trajectory chronic illnesses are projected to soar, creating a bleak outlook for U.S. health care. That is, of course, unless we implement some significant changes right now.

I may sound repetitive, but I cannot emphasize enough the importance of prevention. Everyone possesses the resources to maintain health or restore it. So why do we persist in searching for remedies to dilemmas for which we already hold the solutions?

Health and wellness can be accomplished through these six strategies. And I won’t claim these steps are easy, as they demand considerable effort, regularity, and commitment.

Consume wholesome foods

Whole food plant-based diets can create remarkable improvements in your life. These foods are loaded with essential nutrients and fiber that can drastically decrease your chances of diabetes, heart ailments, and even cancer.

Steer clear of processed and ultra-processed foods that counteract this benefit, leading to disease via cellular toxicity and chronic inflammation.

Keep in mind that the nourishment we consume serves as the energy for every function in our bodies. Inferior fuel results in inferior performance. It’s that straightforward.

Stay active

Maintaining physical activity is crucial. Engaging the body not only burns calories but also enhances blood circulation and oxygen delivery to tissues and organs, thus keeping them in good shape.

Moreover, consistent movement facilitates lymphatic drainage, which aids in eliminating unwanted waste and toxins that can be damaging, especially when accumulated in our system.

Manage weight

Losing excess weight is immensely significant. Increased body fat and obesity can result in hormonal imbalances.

Keeping a healthy weight can rectify any dysregulation that exists and realign your body’s functions. Proper nutrition, regular physical activity, and fasting constitute excellent methods to achieve this.

If necessary, medications are also an option. However, patients should always be informed about potential harmful side effects.

Minimize stress

Stress is a significant risk factor for the emergence of high blood pressure, heart conditions, stroke, and diabetes, to name just a few.

Stress hormones that are intended to assist us during the fight or flight response were never designed to be activated for extended periods. This abnormal state can harm both mental and physical health if not addressed.

Discovering methods to manage stress effectively is essential. Whether it’s meditation, yoga, hobbies, social gatherings, or counseling, find what resonates with you.

Cease smoking and alcohol use

Quitting smoking can significantly lower your risk of severe heart and lung ailments.

Lung cancer, the primary cause of cancer fatalities in the U.S., far surpasses other cancers like breast cancer and colon cancer.

Ceasing smoking can help prevent this and can prolong your life.

Available treatment options include nicotine replacement therapy, behavioral therapies, medications, and, importantly, transcranial magnetic stimulation.

Besides liver damage and other dangers linked to impaired awareness and judgment, alcohol consumption has also been associated with multiple cancer types.

The U.S. Surgeon General has recently advocated for updated health warnings on alcoholic beverages to educate consumers about these cancer hazards.

Stopping or significantly reducing alcohol consumption can help prevent these future issues.

Participate in screenings

Please make it a priority to visit your doctor regularly. Screening through physical assessments, blood tests, and imaging studies, as necessary, can identify and address issues early on.

Delaying care can frequently mean the difference between life and death. Be proactive and do not postpone until it’s too late.

Reflect, commit, take action, and maintain meaningful and enduring transformations. The time for a healthier you is now!

Take care and remain healthy, Guam!