SELF - CARE MEDICAL

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Issue #66 - November/December 1980

Tom spoke of his plans for the publication — and of his conviction that self-care could raise the general level of health in this country and lower our inflated levels of medical spending — in the Plowboy Interview in MOTHER NO. 51 . . . and left no doubt that he would work toward making those "dreams"come true.

Well, Tom Ferguson is Doctor Ferguson now, and the medical self-care "movement" — as well as Tom's magazine — has flourished. People are beginning to assume more responsibility for their own well-being and are eager for information that will help them take better care of their bodies.

So — in an effort to provide just such very necessary data — THE MOTHER EARTH NEWS® offers as a regular feature a piece by Tom Ferguson, M.D., entitled (what else?) "Medical Sel-fCare".

A "NEW" NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION

The notion of making annual resolutions occurs to a good many folks during the holiday season . . . when thoughts begin to turn ahead toward the New Year and its opportunity for a symbolic new beginning. And this year you can make a resolution that just may benefit every part of you . . . a vow to put a personal self-care plan into effect! Making just a few gentle changes in your lifestyle could bring about a big difference in the way you perceive the world . . . as well as the way it (in the form of your family, friends, etc.) perceives you!

To make such afresh start, you'll first need to define and state a commitment that you'd like to make to yourself. This pledge should be flexible, not an irrevocable promise sealed in blood. Think of your new self-care plan as an opportunity merely to try out some different behavior patterns . . . which you'll be free to change at any time.

KNOW THYSELF

Any self-improvement regime begins with self-awareness, so you should start implementing your plan by simply paying attention to yourself. Become aware of your personal habits — both good and bad — and maybe even record them in some way. If you're thinking of going on a diet, for instance, write down everything you eat over the course of a day or two. Before starting an exercise program, buy a pedometer (the devices are available at most sporting goods or outdoor supply stores), and hang it on your belt to record the total number of miles you walk each day.

Then, while you're observing your own actions, also pay attention to the ways in which other people support your desired or undesired behavior. For instance, do members of your family continually offer you calorie-laden goodies? Does everybody else at work light up a cigarette after lunch? You should — at this stage in your preparations — observe such patterns closely, but don't try to change anything yet . . . just take stock.