The Road to Better Health by: Dr Cynthia C. Dela Cruz, DPPS

The Road to Better Health

Love Your Heart

Doctors advice us that to have better health we need to do the following: Have regular moderate exercises, maintain good weight, eat more fish, have a good rest and proper relaxation, eat consciously, get vaccinated, receive regular medical checkup ,avoid/minimize stress and many more.

What strikes me most is that we can reduce one’s stress by slowly transforming oneself from a type A to a type B person.

What is type a “A” person? A type “A” person is always in a hurry. He needs to beat the deadline. He always looks at his watch. He likes to be in control of all situations. Type “A” persons are perfectionist and some have low self esteem.

Most cardiologists believe that type A persons are prone to stress related illnesses and medical conditions like heart attacks. How can one transform himself from a type A person to a type B person. From one who is always in a hurry, impatient and easily gets angry, to one who is more relaxed and contemplative? A Book “ A practical Guide to Fitness and Health” by G. V. Aquino quoted Dr Meyer Friedman and Ray Rosenman ‘s ( “Type A behavior and Your Heart”) Tips on transforming your “A” behavior s thereby controlling and lessening your stress:

1.Get in touch with yourself

a. Take stock of your life’s goal. How you spend your time, what is really important to you is your love ones. Concentrate on what is who you are rather on being what you wish to acquire.

b. Stop measuring your life in quantities – the number of clients, the number of committees on which you served, the number of accomplishments. Think more in terms of quality. Rid yourself of ‘tribal obligations’. You will probably find that doing a few things really well is more satisfying than doing a lot of things less effectively.

c. Give up trying to be a super person who, despite of demanding career, insist of retaining control of everything at home, entertaining lavishly, participating in community affairs and raising perfect children. This can be done only at the expense of your health, your marriage and your children. Forget perfection. At home and at work, decide what you and you alone must do, and delegate the other responsibilities.
d. Spend some time alone with yourself. Attend a concert, visit museums , read a thought-provoking book. Or just sit quietly and contemplate the sky.

2. Slow down

a. Leave yourself more than do you think you will need to get somewhere or accomplish something. Then, if you are delayed, you’ll have less reason to become anxious.

b. Take something to read whenever you might have to visit around or to stand in line. Or practice doing nothing, Study the people around you. Fantasize. Think about someone to love. Think about your life. Have a pleasant conversation.

c. Don’t clutter up your calendar with appointments, or create unnecessary deadlines by making the appointments for a specific time. Say, “I’ll be there between 11 and 11:30,” rather than precisely at 11.”

d. Get up 15 minutes earlier in the morning so that you do not have to start your day in a rush. Your body will appreciate the calm much more than the extra sleep.

e. Stop interrupting others or finishing their sentences. Practice being a good listener, concentrating on what being said is interesting to you. And do not takeover from someone who is doing a job slowly, unless he cannot do it at all. Walk away if you cannot stand to watch.

f. Even when working against a deadline, take breaks periodically to chat with the neighbor, stare out the window, take a walk – anything that will help you relieve the tension.

Keep yourself well. Love your heart. Share your blessings. God Bless.