Life gets complicated.

You’ve got work responsibilities, family responsibilities, and financial pressures.

And perhaps you have some of these other issues weighing down your spirit:

• You’re still carrying that extra 5-10 pounds of extra flab you can’t get around to losing.
• Your blood pressure or cholesterol might be a little high.
• The shoulder (or knee) you injured way back in high school is acting up and stops you from the activities you enjoy.
• You’re starting to worry a bit about some of the long term health problems that Americans are prone to – like arthritis or diabetes.
• You’re not sleeping as well as you used to, and you’re always tired or have a low mood.

Here’s the big question

Why do some people seem happy, content, and fully engaged with the challenges of life, while others are frequently frustrated or unfulfilled?

I really have no idea.

But I do know that the most important thing you can do is take an active role in being healthy.

Children jumping for joy

The blog to help you take ownership of your body and your health

No matter what else is going on in your life, if you’re not healthy, you’re miserable.  Nothing else in life can compensate for not living up to your health potential.

Poor health will cost you.  Experts estimate that the average retired couple will spend $200,000 – $300,000 or more for out-of-pocket health expenses.  That’s a lot of money.

Poor health costs a lot more than mere money, too.  Deteriorating health robs you of your ability to enjoy life.

And unfortunately, the day when you could count on a knowledgeable, caring, personal doctor to be the manager of your health quest is over.

We don’t live in a rational health care universe.  The system is designed for the needs of pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, hospitals, doctors, the government – everyone except for you and me.  It’s insane.

Don’t be a passive recipient of health care services.  You’ve got to take ownership of your own health and your own body.

That defines the major purpose of this blog – to help you take responsibility for your body and support you in taking the steps needed to ensure good health.

Health isn’t individual, it’s social (and so is this blog)

The creation of a blog is a social activity.  Even though there’s a host and primary author, everyone is invited to contribute.

The social creation of a blog perfectly mirrors how health is created.  The breadth and depth of our family and social connections are strong predictors of the state of our health, and become our most important tools for healing.

That’s why you’re encouraged to participate in this blog.  Please comment on any posts that engage you.

You can even contribute articles of your own.  Send an e-mail to drlavine@askdrlavine.com with the article attached.  We’ll review it and you’ll soon see it published on the blog.

You can target your article to one of the main categories of postings on the blog:

• Personal Stories
• Specific Health Conditions
• Fitness & Exercise
• Nutrition & Diet
• Lifestyle & Leisure
• Spiritual Insight and Humor
• Politics of Healthcare
• Health Queries

Perhaps your contribution even fits into more than one of these categories.

Enjoy.

Ron Lavine, D.C. (your host)

Dr. Lavine has been an innovator in the use of movement and touch to promote health since 1981. He practices in New York City and Princeton, NJ.