Recently i gave a talk to the Yarram rotary club in South Gippsland on men’s health. I covered topics ranging from erectile dysfunction and prostate cancer to kidney stones and depression. It was a great evening and I thoroughly enjoyed their company, questions and hospitality. I spoke about preventative medicine and how it is important for men to focus on prevention rather than waiting for problems to surface. This is particularly relevant in country areas where isolation and loneliness can be problematic due to distance and mobility issues.

Prevention is important, but a wellness focus is preferable. The two go hand in hand and can exist simultaneously. Prevention is a means of being free from disease or at least detecting it early. Wellness however is to be bursting with enthusiasm and energy. I enjoyed chatting to a 70 year old gent recently who spends time sea kayaking in Thailand. He was a great example of how to age well. He looked and felt great!

Whilst prevention is important, wellness is a much more holistic way of looking at a persons health. Someone who expresses wellness has a radiance which in Ayurvedic (Indian) medicine is called Tejas. Simply speaking, they look bright. There is a sparkle! Good sleep, stable digestion, proper excretion, balanced emotions, and a sense of radiance are all hallmarks of wellness. The Ayurvedic definition encompasses all of these and more.

More than anything, the wellness model creates the right frame of mind and we all know that a healthy mind is critical for a healthy body and a healthy  life. Prevention, early detection and wellness are all a spectrum but rather than them being discrete and separate entities they can all be pursued simultaneously.

Be well!

Ranjit