Health Care in Canada: Take Charge of Your Health

People of all ages are taking a more hands-on approach to their health with renewed awareness that it is much easier to look after one's health than trying to recoup it after it has been lost.

No longer is the priority merely the length of life — people want quality of life!

Despite many life-saving medical advances, chronic degenerative diseases such as coronary artery disease, stroke, diabetes, hypertension, macular degeneration, osteoporosis and Alzheimer's dementia remain at an all time high.

The big question is, “Where does one turn for solid and trustworthy advice on living a healthy life?”

According to the World Health Organization, "Health is more than the absence of disease. Health is a state of optimal well-being.” Optimal well-being is a concept of health that goes beyond the curing of illness to one of achieving wellness. Many of us have been brought up to believe that our health depends solely on the quality of the healthcare we receive.

The truth is your health is your responsibility. You are the only person who can make the lifestyle decisions that contribute to your well-being. You are the one who must take the steps to preserve your health and promote your wellness. Only you have the power to create wellness for yourself.

Your power lies in the choices you make every day on your own behalf. Your behaviour and the choices you make in your life affect your health. You can choose to do more of what is good for you and the world around you, and to do less of what is harmful.

You can choose to learn more about your health and the variety of healthcare options available. All of us have incredible inner wisdom. As you gather information and experience, you will gain confidence in using your inner knowing to follow your path to wellness. Health is more than just not being sick. It is a state of optimal well-being.

Achieving wellness is an ongoing process. No matter what their status of health, people can improve their level of well-being. Even when there are temporary setbacks, movement is always headed toward wellness.

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