Q: I’m in my mid-40s, I eat fairly well and I try to workout two or three times per week. I know everyone has their own routine and regime, but what do you, as a doctor with medical knowledge, do to stay healthy?
Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “It is not fair to ask of others what you are not willing to do yourself.”
Although no one is perfect, I stay healthy the same way I teach my patients to stay healthy, and that is with practicing good habits and making them consistent. Staying healthy involves not only the body, but also the mind and the spirit.
So, while diet and exercise are both part of the cornerstone to staying healthy, there is more to it than that. We also need passion and purpose, mixed with some fun and optimism thrown in for good measure.
As far as diet goes, I stay on track by eating lean protein with a variety of fruits, vegetables and whole grains. I minimize processed foods and stay organic when I can.
Keeping portion size under control and fewer starchy carbohydrates help my energy levels stay up throughout the day when I need it most. I don’t count calories, but I listen to my body and try not to over eat at any one sitting.
I try not to eat too late, and I minimize snacking and junk food. While I do follow these rules 80 to 90 percent of the time, there is definite wiggle room for cheat days and allowing myself dessert once in a while. It is all about balance and moderation.
When it comes to exercise, I actually try to do something where I sweat for a minimum of 30 to 45 minutes, five or six days a week. I balance between my treadmill, Peleton bike, and strength and core training.
I believe that mixing things up is the key to not getting bored. Not only do I enjoy the exercise, but I find this to be a big stress reducer and it helps clear my mind from day-to-day challenges. It also keeps me in a positive mood, which translates to better patient interactions.
In addition, I place a high value on sleep and good hygiene. Medical science has shown that adequate sleep is invaluable to health, both mentally and physically. Therefore, I try to get at least seven-and-a-half to eight hours if I can.
This amount works for me and makes me feel ready to start fresh every day, although different people may have different sleep requirements. Also, frequent handwashing and getting my yearly influenza vaccine have helped me stay healthy to be able to provide consistent care to my patients.
Finally, I can’t say enough about keeping a positive attitude, and the health benefits of finding passion and having fun. I love my job and I feel blessed to be able to make a difference in people’s lives every day.
Although it can be demanding and stressful, finding something you love to do, as I have, has innumerable health benefits. I balance this with a happy home life, with a loving wife and children, and although the balance can be challenging at times, I do the best I can.
Finding a way to relax and have down time, whether it is on vacation or just a few minutes to unwind with a good book or staring at the ocean, are other ways that I stay healthy and mentally balanced.
Of course, my discourse to stay healthy would not be complete if I did not remind you to see your primary care doctor for check-ups regularly as I do. I listen to my body, and I see other physicians as needed.
So, those are some of my tips that I practice myself, and I wish that all of you stay as healthy as well!
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