Do You Know Your Biggest Risk?
A number of years ago, I was having a routine physical and my doctor was going down a long list of questions about my health, diet, lifestyle, etc. One that he asked was, “Do you wear a seatbelt?” My answer was, “Most of the time.”
He then asked me if I would be willing to commit to wearing a seat belt ALL the time. Apparently I looked a little puzzled so he explained. He said that because I didn’t smoke, abuse alcohol, use drugs and had no history of heart disease in my family, that my number one health risk was an automobile accident.
I knew that using a seat belt dramatically reduces one’s chance of injury or death. And as a driver of a car, it’s our responsibility to maintain control of our vehicle for the safety of our passengers and others. You can’t do that if you’re being bounced around unrestrained.
But it was his statement that it was my “number one health risk” that really got my attention. I’m more than 25 years older than I was back then, but I would still venture that it’s still my greatest health risk.
From that day forward, I have always worn my seat belt—with only a handful of lapses—and that’s been years ago. My wife and I have made it a point to own safe cars with adequate and functioning airbags—and always drive cautiously.
What about you? Do you know your greatest health and safety risk? And what are you doing to mitigate that risk?
Your best life is a healthy life—a fully functioning life with few or no disabilities. Some things are outside of our control, but much is within our control. It’s incumbent upon us—for our sake and the sake of those we love—to minimize our risks wherever we can.
I hope you know—or will soon know—your greatest health risk(s). I trust you are working to reduce those risks and create a safer environment for you and those you love. We can always make things better than they are.
And I hope you wear a seatbelt—all the time.
This article was originally published on SuccessNet.org in 2010.
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