Why Preventative Health Is the Best Investment You’ll Ever Make
Last week, I (begrudgingly) took my car into the shop for an oil change. And because my car isn’t a spring chicken, they did a full workup while I was there to make sure everything was running properly.
After working from my laptop in the waiting room for about an hour I received a text with a summary of what they found…
Not only was I overdue for my oil change (oops!), but they sent me a laundry list of additional updates and repairs that needed to be made. I kid you not, they sent TWO text messages, the list was so long.
Naturally, I called my dad (as you do) to determine what was unnecessary or could be done more cost effectively, which left two big ticket items that - in all fairness - probably need done on a vehicle with over 150,000 miles.
UGH.
Not yet willing to admit defeat, I walked over to the service desk to speak with the service representative and asked him what he would do if it was his car. And what he said packed a punch.
He (very kindly) said, “You need to do X, Y, and Z today. As for the two other big issues, they need done... eventually. You can do them today, or in the next couple months, and ensure your car keeps running. Or, you can wait until it breaks down and then bring it in for repair. It’s entirely up to you.”
His response gave me pause because it’s reflective of how health works too.
We can choose to prioritize our health now and ensure we feel good/function well long into the future (baring circumstances that are completely outside of our control), orrrr
we can wait until something happens - like a scary diagnoses, or complication related to our lack of balanced diet/exercise - and “fix” the problem then.
When it comes to health, I’m all for preventative care (aka. taking measures to prevent and/or detect health issues early) vs. the wait-and-see approach because preventative healthcare isn’t just smart — it’s cost-effective.
Waiting until symptoms become serious often means more doctor visits, more medications, and more time (+ money) spent managing symptoms and recovering. But when we take preventative steps (e.g. regular movement, balanced nutrition, quality sleep, routine checkups, etc.) we reduce our risk for chronic conditions before they happen,
which means less money spent and more energy, time, and quality of life to spend on what matters most to us.
Needless to say, I left the car shop that day knowing that I’d be returning ASAP for my preventative maintenance.
Are you actively taking care of your body now? Or are you waiting until something breaks down and you’re forced to?
Wondering what preventative healthcare looks like? Here’s a start:
Eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet consistently (not perfectly)
Regular physical activity — strength, cardio, and movement you enjoy
Routine checkups and screenings (even when you feel fine)
Managing stress through healthy coping tools (like sleep, boundaries, and/or therapy)
Getting 7–9 hours of quality sleep per night
Limiting alcohol, avoiding smoking, and moderating processed food intake
Staying hydrated and prioritizing digestion/regular bowel movements
Paying attention to early signs (fatigue, mood shifts, bloating, etc.) instead of ignoring them
Preventing burnout by honoring mental health and rest
Building healthy habits now to avoid bigger interventions later
If you’re ready to commit to investing in yourself and your health today, I’m here to help.
