Being Your Own Best Health Advocate
The pandemic has taught many people just how important overall mental and physical wellness are. With health care professionals still juggling a variety of challenges and more people than ever reporting feelings of hopelessness and depression, there's never been a better time to learn to advocate for your own health.
The truth is that your physical and mental well-being matter, and you're in the best position to advocate for your own health. To get the medical attention you need and deserve in Lanham, MD, it's important to understand how your insurance works, know what services are out there, understand when a second opinion is smart, understand insurance terms, and more.
This article includes a few ways you can best advocate for your own health.
Paperwork and Advocating for Your Health
One of the best things you can do to advocate for your health is to fully understand the big picture. A great way to do this is to request your medical records, make a list of your diagnoses, medications, and symptoms, and get everything in one place. This will help when it comes to communicating with your health care provider.
If you're like many people and have a large medical record, consider using software to create a PDF of your records. Through an extract tool, you'll be able to compress your files, scans, test results, and images in a digital format that's easy to share.
Especially when meeting with specialists or new providers, be sure to return any new patient forms promptly and bring your records and any questions you have to ensure a more productive appointment with your provider.
Living Healthier
Even the smallest healthy changes you make to your lifestyle can add up. If you're someone who works a lot, you can even make changes at the office. Whether it's parking at the far end of a parking lot, opting for stairs instead of the elevator at work, taking nightly walks, or eating organic, taking baby steps toward a healthier life can add to your quality of life.
A few ways you could begin a healthier life today could include:
• Joining a gym
• Changing your diet
• Taking vitamins under a doctor's guidance
• Making more time for family and friends
• Getting outside and enjoying nature
• Making sure you're getting enough rest
Identifying Great Matches
As important as it is that you get along well with your health care provider, part of advocating for yourself is being comfortable with your health insurance. Don't be afraid to ask questions before enrolling in a new plan or calling for clarification along the way. Ask your doctor for recommendations on services you may qualify for in your community too.
Finding Additional Wellness Support
There are no wrong answers when it comes to your plan to get wellness support: the key is getting started. Whether you plan to begin your self-advocacy journey by assembling proper paperwork, joining an online support group, getting a better understanding of your insurance and options, getting a new doctor, or living a healthier life, you don't have to do it alone. Call Grassroots Healing in Lanham, MD, to embark on a healthier lifestyle, join a yoga class, or get support in understanding herbal remedies.
Written By: Colleen Stewart
