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Health Perception
We've all heard the saying, “Perception is everything." But what if it were also a predictor of how healthy we are and how long we live? It can be important to reflect on our overall perception of health so that we can identify areas of improvement and establish actionable steps to enhance our well-being.
A study conducted by Stanford researchers found that those people who believe they are more active than others,(whether or not that is actually true) outlived those of their peers who believed they were less active (again, whether or not this was actually true.)
What thoughts are you having after hearing the impact your mindset can have?
Factors Influencing Health Perception
Our own intrinsic personal beliefs, experiences, and emotions shape and impact our perception of health as well as extrinsic factors such as societal norms, media influence, and cultural backgrounds.
An example of an intrinsic factor might be if you have experienced pain in the past and have developed effective strategies to manage and cope with it, this experience can shape your perception of how to handle similar situations in the future. Your intrinsic belief in your ability to cope with pain, potentially through techniques like mindfulness, relaxation exercises, or specific exercises, can significantly influence how you perceive and manage pain as part of your overall health experience.
An example of an extrinsic factor may be a society who thinks that being thin is the same as being healthy. This can lead people to go to great extents – fad dieting and restriction, surgery, drugs etc – to be “thin and healthy” thinking that being thin also means they are healthy.”
Understanding Health Perception
Health perception is how you view your own health status, including physical, mental, and emotional aspects of health. Your health perception is a big deal because it has the power to affect your behavior. Things like your motivation level, your confidence in improving your health, garnering hope, and so on. A positive perception will fuel positive behaviors that work toward improving your health status, whereas a negative perception will help to fuel more of the same, which can potentially lead you further down the road of poor health.
How do you feel your mindset currently or in the past has affected your health and the actions you take? Stop and notice the language you use both with the world and yourself. Don't worry if your initial thoughts aren't helpful, it can take time to unlearn unhelpful ways of thinking. Just notice the thoughts as they arise. Then, find another way of looking at that same thought.
Here are some examples:
This is too hard → This may take some time
I just can’t do that → "I haven't learned how to do that yet, but with practice and patience, I can improve."
I give up → I’ll use some of the strategies I’ve learned."
Living with Chronic Pain
When you begin to shift your inner dialogue, you will be amazed at how easily you notice negativity around you as well. Make sure that as your mindset shifts, you allow yourself the opportunity to collaborate with like-minded folk.
"Awareness is the greatest agent for change"
Self-reflection allows us to bring awareness to and recognize our own habits, behaviors, and lifestyle choices that directly impact our health. By creating this awareness we can identify areas where we may need to make adjustments or improvements.
Have you ever thought through how you perceive your health? Self-reflection is important for understanding one's own health perspective.
Some simple questions you can ask yourself:
- Have I been taking care of my body through exercise and proper nutrition?
- Am I getting enough sleep and rest?
- Have I been managing stress effectively?
- Am I engaging in and making time for activities that promote my mental well-being,
- Do I have a support system and community that I can rely on?
Our perception of our health is not just a reflection of how we feel physically, but also a driver of our health behaviors, emotional well-being, and healthcare decisions. Being aware of, and understanding our health perception allows us to take proactive steps towards maintaining and improving our health, ultimately leading to better health outcomes over the long term.
Now that you’ve had the chance to reflect on how your past and current mentalities may have impacted your health, what are a few ways you will choose to shift toward a positive mindset? We would love to hear from you!
Kaia Health to Help
Kaia’s app pairs the expertise of clinician-designed exercise therapy with the convenience of a mobile app to get you on the road to recovery on your terms. Kaia Health coaches are here to support you at every step of your health journey. Our dedicated Health coaches are passionate about meeting and supporting you where you are at. If you are interested in learning more about Kaia Health you can sign up here!