Preparing for Your Senior Years
The Conversations We Should Be Having in Our 50s: Chapter 3

How Well Do You Know Your Body?

If your healthcare provider asked you today…

“Tell me about your symptoms. What have you noticed?”

Would you know how to answer?

For much of my life, I would have simply said, “It hurts.”

Now I realize there is so much more to understanding our bodies than that.

As I continue on my own health journey, I’ve started paying closer attention to the little things. I notice which movements are easier. Which ones are more difficult. I notice when I feel stronger, when I feel weaker, and even what positions seem to bring relief.

One recent observation surprised me. I discovered that I can place my right knee on my bed and pull myself up without pain. I don’t know exactly why that movement feels different, but it taught me something important about my body.

That one observation may not provide an answer, but it gives my healthcare providers another piece of the puzzle.

I’ve also learned to pay attention to patterns.

• What time of day do my symptoms appear?
• Does walking help or make things worse?
• Does sitting too long increase my discomfort?
• Am I sleeping differently?
• Are there changes in my balance, bladder, or bowel habits?
• Does my breathing change how my body feels?

These are all valuable observations that can help guide meaningful conversations with our healthcare providers.

I believe we know our bodies better than anyone else because we live in them every single day.

That doesn’t mean we diagnose ourselves.

It means we become good observers.

The more clearly we can describe what we’re experiencing, the better we can work together with our healthcare team to understand what may be happening.

Sometimes healing doesn’t begin with having all the answers.

Sometimes healing begins by simply paying attention.

Today, I encourage you to become curious about your own body.

Notice the changes.

Recognize the patterns.

Ask questions.

Share your observations.

Your healthcare provider brings medical knowledge.

You bring the lived experience of your own body.

Together, those two perspectives can become a powerful team.

Blessings from Flava in Her Tower. ❣️🌻

Lady Flava Wellness 🌻

I believe we should all develop the habit of becoming aware of our bodies, our health, and our overall wellness.

Our bodies are constantly communicating with us. Sometimes the messages are loud. Sometimes they’re subtle.

The sooner we notice changes, recognize patterns, and share those observations with our healthcare providers, the better equipped we are to become active partners in our own care.

Awareness is not about living in fear.

Awareness is about living with intention.