Hiya Gorgeous!
Have you ever felt fear or anxiety around going to the doctor?
Yeah, me too.
But this is one area where ignorance definitely isn’t bliss. Knowledge is power—especially for our health—which means we’ve gotta suck it up and make the appointment anyway. (I’ve got some positive affirmations at the end of this article to help you find the courage to do just that.)
Why do we put off going to the doctor?
I don’t know about you, but I have a wide variety of excuses I use to avoid going to the doctor. See if you recognize any of the most common avoidance tactics below:
- Fear of something serious. This is the biggest reason we put off our doctor’s appointments. But if you don’t go, you don’t know. Take control of your health.
- Shame. We all have things we aren’t proud of, but you don’t go to the mechanic to brag about how great your car is running. So, you don’t have to be well to see the healing mechanic. They’re there to help troubleshoot.
- Cost. Unfortunately, medical care can be expensive. If you have the means but struggle justifying to yourself to spend the cash, remember your health is priceless and worth the investment. If you don’t have the means, there are a variety of ways to find low and no cost health care.
- You’re too busy. Appointments can be hard to fit in our busy schedules. However, making the time now will pay off in the long run.
- You haven’t found the right doctor yet. Whether you’re new in town or just don’t jive with your current practitioner, take the time to find a doctor you love. I prefer working with integrative and functional medicine practitioners. You can search for one in your area here.
Think of it like this: It’s just business. The business of your wellness. And because you are the CEO of your health, it’s wise to schedule an exploratory meeting. Maybe there’s something going on, maybe not. Either way, you’re a great leader for checking in.
Why we can’t ignore the signs.
My best-friend, Marie Forleo shared this story on Instagram, and I wanted to share it with you, because it’s filled with lessons for us all.
A while back, we were Facetiming when Marie suddenly felt a sharp pain in her abdomen. She winced, grabbed her belly and yelped “OUCH!” She’d been experiencing this pain on and off and thought it was diet related (gluten is not her friend).
This triggered my spidey sense. I immediately went into calm and hyper-focused mode (my version of worry). When I asked her more about her symptoms, it was clear that something serious was up.
“I want you to get an ultrasound ASAP,” I said. And ya know what? She did it! I’m so proud of her for taking care of herself.
It turns out Marie had a grapefruit-sized, non-cancerous tumor outside of her uterus (plus some smaller tumors and cysts). My bestie recovered from surgery is doing great––thank God.
The lesson here, dear one, is to show up for yourself. And, if you have a friend or family member who’s experiencing weird symptoms, show up for them too.
5 positive affirmations for courage.
Now I know that this topic can kick up fears, especially if you have a chronic condition. Take a deep breath. If you feel anxious, try out these positive affirmations that help me.
1. I can improve my health.
My health is not a fixed constant. Just because something may be true of my body now doesn’t mean it has to stay that way.
2. I am empowered by information.
A diagnosis or issue raised isn’t a moral shortfall or permanent sentence. It’s just information to help me better love my body and choose the right next step. Plus, if there is an issue it’s still there––even if I don’t get it diagnosed. Ignoring it just keeps me in the dark and robs me of the power I have to make progress.
3. I can start growing right where I am.
It’s never too early or too late. I can begin where I am. There are no late fees or prerequisites.
4. I can rely on doctors as my teammates in the healing process.
They aren’t here to judge (and even if they are, their disapproval costs me nothing). They are talented, educated teammates and I can always switch to a different doctor if I feel unhappy with their support.
5. I can take it one day at a time.
It doesn’t have to be overwhelming. I don’t have to work on years of issues all at once. Turtle power, baby.
I hope those have been helpful for you, love. Remember, your body and spirit are so resilient. You’d be amazed at what just a thimbleful of self-care can do to start refilling your well.
So, take a deep breath and… Make. The. Appointment. You’ve got this!
Your Turn: How do you overcome your anxiety about making doctor appointments?
Peace & positive action,
