Family Life is complicated. You wake up, complete your morning routine, andoff to work. If you have kids, the demand for getting them ready, fixing their breakfast and lunch kits, and getting them out the door, either for the school bus or to ride with you, may make your day already stressful. Somewhere in the hustle and bustle, your health is not a concern.
October is Family Health Month. It is an opportunity to remind everyone that their health and the health of their families is too important to get lost in the chaos that can be family life.
Healthy families have one thing in common: they talk. They talk about simple things like washing the dishes or feeding the dog. They talk about complicated things like drugs and disease.
This year Family Health Month is about communication. Communication is important for many reasons. Too many people think that the only time to discuss something is when there is a problem. They do not have general conversation about general life. Unfortunately, this makes talking associated with the negative. Often whenever the child hears the parent say. I need to talk to you," automatically the response is what did I do wrong now." Conversation should be part of family life. If it is part of regular family activities, then it becomes easy and positive. While it may still be tough to talk about some things, it shouldn’t be impossible.
It is also important to talk to your family physician about your health concerns before they become problems. Family physicians are trained to give comprehensive medical care. Family physicians know that you are more than a collection of body parts or organ systems. If your doctor knows about the stress in your life, your family health history and your risk factors, they can help you stay well with preventive health care. Family physicians evaluate and treat you as a whole person, taking into account all the factors that can affect your health and well-being—genetics, family history, diet, prevention, mental health, chronic-disease management—every aspect of health.
Take time in October to talk to your child. Take time to talk to other family members. Take time to talk to your family physician about your family’s health. Once you start talking, you might realize how having talks with others improves your health and the quality of your life.
