We live in an “instant gratification” type of society:
- Products ordered online are expected to be delivered to our homes within 24-36 hours.
- Text messages and email can be responded to within minutes.
- Thanks to microwaves, we can have complete meals ready in 5 minutes or less.
- Social media allows for news to be transmitted instantaneously around the world.
There are many examples of instant gratification, but we must be wary of instant gratification when it comes to our health.
Too Busy To Be Sick
Quite frankly, no one wants to be sick, nor do we have the time to be sick. As a result, we want to take something that makes us feel better quickly. This is another form of instant gratification, but it may be doing more harm than good.
When it comes to our health, we are conditioned to treat the symptom, not really getting to the root cause of the ailment. This approach can cause two problems:
- We never find out what’s actually bothering us;
- We may be taking the wrong meds.
How many people have been taking meds for YEARS and still have the same medical condition? There are several health issues where a person can be taking OTC or prescribed medications for an extended period of time, and still have the same health issues as the day they started:
- Allergy meds
- High blood pressure pills
- Insulin
- Antidepressants
- Pain relievers
- Weight loss products
- Sleeping pills
Instead of just taking medication to feel better that only treat the symptom, ask questions. Ask yourself at least 2 “why” questions.
This could help you determine what is actually causing your health issue:
Weight Gain.
Many people gain weight for a variety of reasons. Instead of simply exercising or taking weight loss products, Ask yourself why you’re gaining weight:
- Why are you gaining weight? Because I eat too much.
- Why do you eat too much? Because I like to snack.
- Why are you snacking? Because I sit in front of a computer all day and I get bored.
- Why are you bored? I don’t know. Nothing excites me.
In this instance, they know if they stop snacking they could lose weight. But the key is to determine why they are snacking in the first place, which is because of boredom. If they aren’t bored, maybe they won’t snack, which could mean less weight gained.
The key here is to find something that gets them excited and something to look forward to. That could decrease the desire to snack.
High Blood Pressure
There are many reasons high blood pressure can increase. Instead of simply taking medication to lower your pressure, Ask yourself why it may be elevated:
- Why do you have high blood pressure? I eat too many sweets and fast foods.
- Why are you eating the wrong foods? They make me feel good.
- Why do they make you feel good? They are my comfort food.
- Why do you need comfort food? Because I’m stressed.
- Why are you stressed? I need to make more money, unhappy with job, family issues, etc.
In this instance, to relieve stress, a person is eating comfort foods. Unfortunately, many of these foods are high in sodium, fat and other harmful ingredients that could elevate pressure levels.
Note: if a person is taking doctor prescribed medication, do not stop taking without your doctor’s consent,
Find Your “Why”
This is just a small example of attempting to get to the root cause of your medical problem. You can ask these same questions for many types of health issues, including back pain, depression, high cholesterol, arthritis, etc. Instead of taking medication just to feel better or relieve symptoms, dig a little deeper.
Nutrient Deficiencies?
Even nutrient deficiencies can be misdiagnosed. A person can think they are sick when they are actually suffering from a nutrient deficiency:
- Did you know the common cold and gluten sensitivity have all been linked to a vitamin D deficiency?
- Did you know a poor appetite has been linked to an iron deficiency?
How many people are taking meds for something that can be treated with something other than medication?
Here are a few examples of nutrient deficiencies and their symptoms:
| Nutrient | Deficiency Symptom |
| Potassium | Weight loss Muscle weakness Constipation Abnormal heart rhythm (in severe cases) |
| Magnesium | Loss of appetite Vomiting Fatigue Tingling Muscle contractions Cramps Seizures Abnormal heart rhythms |
| Iron | Extreme fatigue Weakness Cold hands & feet Brittle nails Unusual cravings (dirt, ice, starch) Poor appetite |
| Vitamin D | Multiple Sclerosis Type 1 Diabetes Common cold The flu Heart disease Bone fractures (in older adults) Head sweating |
To see a previous article on nutrient deficiencies, click HERE.
Find out why things are the way they are. You must get to the source:
The above are simple examples, but they can help a person change their mindset about what’s bothering them and find better ways to treat them. We are all different, so what bothers one may not affect the other. The key is to focus on you and not anyone else.
Call to Action
What is ailing you? Do you have insomnia? Don’t just take sleep meds, ask yourself why you can’t sleep. Can’t turn off your brain? Why is that? These extra questions can help you find the answers you need.
Unfortunately, modern medicine focuses almost exclusively on the symptom of your ailment, but you don’t have to. By asking yourself the right questions, you could be one step closer to having the good health you desire.
It’s time we work on being the best we can be. That means to work on all aspects of our lives. Get more tips in my books and online courses:
- The Three Pillars of Strength: Increasing Your Physical, Mental, and Spiritual Fitness
- The Diet of Success: Healthy Eating Tips For Hard Working Professionals.
- Top Diet Tips For Go-Getters and Entrepreneurs
