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Rx: Wellness: Increasing Your Commitment to Your Own Health

Eating/Drinking Habits: I am currently trying to accept the fact that aging is inversely proportional to my metabolism. Yes, it’s true: “A moment on the lips, forever on the hips.” Did you really need to eat that donut? Hate that I can’t eat as much as I feel I “deserve,” don’t you know! I didn’t eat all day!!! (Few of you know I have a Cheetos addiction, clean a few months at a time). This self-loathing/self-rewarding behavior is cra-cra, and I hate “Mom Jeans.” Other important notes:

  • Dessert or alcohol, but not both. (This sucks, but a calorie is a calorie.)
  • Eat less, more often. Better quality, less quantity. Chew and swallow very slowly. Slower. Slow.
  • More water, cut the crap! Stop the Powerade, Gatorade, soda, sweet tea, lemonade, etc.
  • Coffee—YES! But know your limit and not too late. Quality, not quantity. NO, not the Starbucks Frappuccino that’s 1,200 calories with whipped cream and chocolate syrup.
  • Stock food in office/car (when it won’t melt): for health snacks, go to that expensive pretty whole food/gluten-free aisle. Try those kale chips and puffed quinoa—you will appear “healthy” to colleagues!
  • Expensive or crappy Halloween chocolates (ready access in clinic/OR/office)—because sometimes you just need to survive your day.

Greet your loved ones (hugs and kisses) as soon as you walk in the door at the end of the day, with a huge smile and enthusiasm (like you do your “Chair” or “boss”), as if your bonus check depends on it. Then go for that glass of wine/whiskey if you must (just kidding, water first). The rest of your night will be much better if you do this.

Make these appointments: Annual check-ups: OB/GYN (don’t gloat, male colleagues), mammograms, primary doc, blood work, dentists. No one asked you to take a vacation day to do so. Use admin time or block off half a day, first appointment in the morning or last one of the day. Just do it.

Change your perspective to change your life. While you may not care and are willing to “sacrifice” your wellbeing, you don’t have the right to shortchange your family and those who love and depend on you.

Dr. Wei is surgeon-in-chief and division chief of pediatric otolaryngology/audiology at Nemours Children’s Hospital, and chair of otolaryngology education at the University of Central Florida College of Medicine in Orlando. She is also a member of the ENTtoday editorial advisory board.