1. Prevention matters.
Everyone has heard about the importance of taking care of yourself and prioritizing your health. However, doing cancer research and interacting with patients and survivors provides a completely different perspective. “Prevention” can often feels so early and far away. “I’m in my 20s, I probably won’t get seriously sick outside of the flu.”
While many college students may feel like serious health problems are something that happen much later in life, this experience taught me that healthcare is not only about treating patients who are already ill, but also about reducing risk and catching problems early.
After this opportunity, I have set new goals to make more regular doctor’s appointments, even when I feel healthy and think I may not need them. Although taking these steps in preventative medicine cannot guarantee that I will remain healthy, it provides me peace of mind to know I am giving myself the best possible odds at living a long, healthy life.
2. You should always prioritize your health, not just when you’re sick.
“I’m starting to feel sick. I should probably get some medicine.”
Every college student has dealt with this at some point in time, whether it be trying to ignore the symptoms so you can enjoy the weekend or convincing yourself that you don’t have time to be sick because of exams, extracurriculars, work, and everything else on your schedule.
We tend to think of health as something we address when there is a problem, but prioritizing your health includes the choices you make every day.
Eating regularly, getting enough sleep, taking your mental health seriously, and taking breaks when you need them are all some examples of daily habits that can contribute to your health in both the short and long term. One of the biggest things cancer research has taught me is that our bodies are constantly working, even when we aren’t consciously thinking of it. Taking care of ourselves should not only happen when something feels wrong.
3. Don’t wait for the “right” time.
College students are often thinking, “I’ll do that after graduation.” or “I’ll take some downtime after the semester is over.” Of course, it is important for students to prioritize their academic standing, but like everything, there is a limit.
There will always be another exam, another deadline, another responsibility. However, life can’t always be postponed until after that exam, deadline, or responsibility.
Living life to its fullest does not always have to be a huge bucket-list item. It can mean getting dinner with your friends, watching the sunset, saying yes to a fun new experience, or anything that bring you joy.
Being healthy is not only about preventing disease and extending your lifespan, it is also about being able to experience and enjoy your life. Take care of your body, appreciate your health, and don’t forget to actually live!