Health: Our Most Precious Investment February is often celebrated as a time for romantic love, but love takes many forms worth honoring. While romance captures attention, the lasting power of committed love, compassionate love and, perhaps most importantly, self-love truly shapes our lives. These deeper forms of love reveal themselves through the care and commitment we show to others — and ourselves — every day. Prioritizing our health is one of the most profound ways we express self-love. Too often, we place everyone else's needs above our own well-being. But one of the greatest acts of love — for ourselves and for those who care about us — is making time for preventive healthcare. Many of us know at least one person who discovers that a treatable form of cancer or another health condition could have been caught earlier through routine screening. We often hear, "I just never made the time to get checked out." Healthcare professionals remind us that serious health conditions often begin silently: A quick blood pressure check might prevent a stroke, a routine mammogram might detect cancer at its most treatable stage, or a basic cholesterol screening might lead to lifestyle changes that add years to our lives. Timing matters with these screenings. At 40, our bodies begin to send signals to which we should listen. By 45, consider having screenings, such as those for colorectal and prostate health. And at 50, it’s time to check in on bone density and lung health. Remarkably, these potential life-saving measures require minimal time — 10 minutes for a blood pressure check, 30 minutes for a mammogram and an hour for an annual physical. These small investments can reshape our future. Remember that our health is the foundation for all of our plans and dreams. Every moment spent on preventive care is a gift — to ourselves and to everyone counting on us to be around for several more years. With care, Zen Ziejewski  |
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