Symptoms Are Signals

In my last post, I wrote about a finding from the American Psychological Association survey. I could hardly believe that 35% of diagnosed clients with a serious medical condition do nothing to change their behavior or lifestyle. These people are in serious trouble.

From a mental fitness perspective, medical symptoms are signals. Many of us fail to recognize medical symptoms as signals. As a result these symptoms can increase and become more severe. Finally a very serious medical diagnosis is made by a physician. Being told by your doctor that you have a serious medical condition should be a very clear signal. It should be one a massive wake-up call.

Medical symptoms and medical diagnoses are signals, but what are they signaling? First of all, they are signaling you to seek medical attention and follow the advice of your doctors.

Secondly, you are getting a very clear signal that you may need to make significant changes in your thinking, behavior and lifestyle.

You are getting a clear signal that it might be time to give up bad habits such as smoking, drinking, overeating and laziness.

You are a being given a clear signal to do what is ever necessary to cope with your stresses and problems in everyday living more effectively. You are being given a signal to become more focused and take control of your life.

In order to become more focused and in control of your life, it may be very necessary for you to improve your mental and physical fitness. How to improve your mental fitness will be the subject of future posts.

What is important to remember about medical symptoms and diagnoses? First, you need to depend on your doctor and follow his advice. Secondly, you need to depend on yourself to change your thinking, behavior and lifestyle in order to become healthy.