Health is a topic so important to our lives. It is not something discussed, it is something lived. However, it is also a thing we must discuss, as without doing so it can be harder to dispel fact from fiction, to reduce stigmas and to ensure people live fuller, healthier lives.
However, many of us find it hard to talk about our health issues. This can unfortunately lead us to ignore an issue we could have potentially gotten help for. You should never feel ashamed when talking about your health. No matter how embarrassing, how seemingly insignificant, no matter how many times you’ve dealt with it before, no matter what anyone says to try and denigrate you (those people usually aren’t worth knowing anyway).
This seems like an obvious point, but often, it’s easy to forget. So let our advice be the final bulwark against this kind of problem. Let us convince you, finally, that its courageous to own the physical, or mental, issue you’re having.
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You Win Nothing By Feeling Shame
It might be that you wish to keep quiet to avoid social judgement, or to prevent expressing weakness. But first off, even feeling the worst social judgement should never deter you from caring for the fundamentals of your health. It is essential for you to feel it.
Second, most worthwhile people know that the human body is not something they can simply predict or decide on. If you have a problem developing, you hardly have chosen it. So why feel guilty about it?
It’s the same as feeling guilty about having blonde, brown or red hair. It makes absolutely no difference to your character. On top of that, the fear of expressing weakness is laughable when it comes to health. Everyone, no matter how strong, will likely have some health problem at some point in their life. It is routinely natural. It would be the same as being mocked for wearing sun cream, when the alternative would be thinking that you’re tougher than the sun. We know on which side we would rather fall. You win nothing by feeling shame. Even admitting a terrible issue, such as a deep addiction to harmful substances, should never deter you from getting the help you need. Without dialogue, you will achieve nothing.
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You Can Push Norms For The Better
An amazing thing happens when we start talking about health issues, particularly those that are usually hard to talk about. We help push norms for the better. There are many health activists who wish to push awareness of sexual health issues, forms of medication sources such as online medicinal services where cystitis treatments are available, and to discuss often-misrepresented topics such as mental disorders.
Disability activists are a great example here. They tirelessly work to help reduce the falsehoods surrounding those who might live with Down’s Syndrome or Autism. You might find yourself contributing to the discussion surrounding a health issue with the same energy. Two things happen when we do this. First, we realize that we are all similar and all have our own challenges, which increases empathy for these topics. But we also dispel misinformation and misrepresentation. This is essential if we hope to progress as a society and begin to understand more and more about one another.
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Speaking Helps
You needn’t think of too many high-and-mighty ideals that suggest you should try and take on this charge yourself. Sometimes, speaking about a health issue simply makes you feel better about yourself. It can help you get something off your chest, or allow others to connect with you, or it can potentially serve as its own form of therapy. Michael J Fox has released many autobiographies where he discusses his life with Parkinson’s and how it has softened him, and helped him become a wiser, stronger individual.
This shows that the power to speak your own truth is an essential topic. You needn’t get philosophical, or get ideas above what is true to you. Simply expressing your lived experience, connecting with others, and finding important means to become more optimistic can be good enough. And it is good enough. If you haven’t given yourself the space to discuss that, then we would heavily recommend you do. It can change everything.
With these tips, we hope you feel more open and able to talk about health in all its forms.
