Monday Health & Wellness

How To Understand Your Health

Have you ever wondered how to gauge your health? Have you ever asked yourself when you should pay closer attention to your body and what it may be trying to tell you?

Health and Wellness can be tricky. Many times we ignore warning signs, while other times we become overly concerned about every ache, pain, or seasonal cold.

I believe that when you truly get to know yourself and your body, you begin to recognize what is normal for you. When something changes or doesn’t feel quite right, it stands out. That is why becoming familiar with your own body is one of the greatest gifts you can give yourself.

One of the best tools you can create is a Health & Wellness Binder where you keep your medical history, medications, test results, questions for your healthcare providers, and notes about symptoms or changes you notice over time.

If you would like ideas on creating one, you can read my previous blog here:

Keep Your Medical Information Together

https://flavanews.com/2026/05/19/hwkeep-your-medical-information-together/

Let’s talk about some of the ways you can better understand your health.

Know Your Numbers

There are certain health measurements that provide valuable information about your overall wellness. They create a baseline so you and your healthcare provider can recognize changes over time.

Some important numbers include:

• Blood Pressure

• Cholesterol

• Blood Sugar or A1C

• Weight and Waist Circumference

• Resting Heart Rate

You don’t have to become obsessed with these numbers, but knowing them helps you become a more informed partner in your own healthcare.

Learn Your Body’s Normal

Every person’s body is different.

Pay attention to your:

• Energy level

• Sleep habits

• Appetite

• Digestion and bowel movements

• Urination

• Pain or stiffness

• Skin, hair, and nails

• Mood and emotional wellbeing

The better you know your normal, the easier it becomes to recognize when something has changed.

Watch For Patterns

One symptom by itself may not mean very much.

However, if something continues happening or becomes more frequent, it deserves your attention.

Ask yourself:

• When did this begin?

• How often does it happen?

• Is it getting worse?

• Does anything make it better or worse?

Writing these observations down can be extremely helpful when discussing concerns with your healthcare provider.

Keep Up With Preventive Care

Many serious health conditions are discovered early through routine care.

Stay current with:

• Annual physical exams

• Blood work

• Dental exams

• Vision exams

• Recommended cancer screenings

• Vaccinations

Preventive care is one of the best investments you can make in your future health.

Know When To Seek Medical Attention

While many symptoms are temporary, some should never be ignored.

Seek medical attention if you experience symptoms such as:

• Chest pain

• Difficulty breathing

• Sudden severe headache

• Blood in your urine or stool

• Persistent fever

• Unexplained weight loss

• Extreme fatigue that doesn’t improve with rest

• Sudden confusion or significant memory changes

Trust your instincts. If something feels seriously wrong, don’t ignore it.

Remember Your Mental Health

Good health includes emotional and mental wellness.

Pay attention to ongoing anxiety, sadness, difficulty concentrating, major changes in sleep, or withdrawing from family and friends.

Taking care of your mind is just as important as taking care of your body.

A Taste of Flava

Working in healthcare for many years and now walking my own health journey has changed how I prepare for medical appointments.

One thing I encourage patients to do is write down every question they think of before their appointment. We often wait weeks or even months to see a provider. Then when the doctor walks into the room, our minds suddenly go blank.

Those few minutes are valuable.

Lately, I’ve been watching educational videos about the spine and the different procedures patients have talked to me about over the years. I’m not trying to diagnose myself. I’m simply trying to better understand what my doctors may discuss and what questions I want to ask when it’s finally my turn to be seen.

The more I learn, the more confident I feel.

Knowledge doesn’t replace your healthcare provider. It helps you become a better partner in your care.

Be curious about your health.

Write things down.

Ask questions.

Learn about your body.

Because no one will ever care more about your health than you do.

Blessings,

Lady Flava 🌻