Shared decision making starts with you
– Taking care of your health.
Taking care of your health with conscious choices
When we talk about shared decision-making in healthcare, it’s often about the dialogue between patients and healthcare professionals. But what if we looked inwards? What if shared decision-making started with ourselves – with the choices we make every day for our own health and wellbeing?
Taking care of yourself isn’t just about following doctor’s orders or taking the right medication. It’s also about listening to your body, understanding your needs and making conscious decisions that benefit your physical and mental wellbeing. When we do this, we not only become stronger when dealing with the healthcare system, we also become better at creating the life we want.
Being your own partner
Shared decision-making means that patients are seen as equal partners in their care. But to play this role effectively, we must first recognise our own value in the process. We must take responsibility for our health by informing ourselves, asking questions and exploring options.
It starts with the little things:
-
- Am I listening to my body when it signals fatigue or stress?
- Am I aware of how my lifestyle affects my health?
- Do I have the courage to speak up and choose what feels right for me?
Taking an active role in your own health is not a burden – it’s an opportunity to empower yourself.
From passive to active: A journey towards better health
Many people experience healthcare as something that ‘happens to them’. They turn up for consultations, get a diagnosis and follow a treatment plan without feeling like a real participant. But health isn’t just something that is controlled from the outside – it’s also a process that we are part of. When we dare to engage, we become not only better informed, but also more confident in our choices.
We learn to ask questions like:
-
- What treatment options do I have?
- What does this diagnosis mean for my life?
- What are my values and how can they guide my decisions?
This approach not only makes us stronger patients, it also gives us a sense of control and calm in an often unpredictable situation.
Taking care of yourself without guilt
Many of us are good at taking care of others but forget about ourselves. We put the needs of others first and may feel selfish if we prioritise our own health. But the truth is, we can’t help others if we don’t take care of ourselves first. Shared decision-making starts with recognising that our needs are just as important as others.
It’s about:
-
- Giving yourself time to rest without feeling guilty
- Prioritising activities that give you energy and joy
- Having the courage to say no to things that don’t benefit your health
When we take responsibility for our own wellbeing, we also become better at making decisions together with healthcare professionals – because we know our own limits, wants and needs.
An empowering process that creates balance
When we see shared decision-making as something that starts with ourselves, it becomes clear how much we can actually influence. Health isn’t just about doctor visits and treatments – it’s also about the choices we make every day.
By taking an active role in our own health, we empower ourselves both physically and mentally. We learn to navigate the healthcare system with greater confidence, we experience less stress, and we create a sense of balance in our lives.
So the next time you’re faced with a decision – big or small – ask yourself:
What feels right for me?
When you start listening to your own answer, you’ve already taken the first step towards a healthier and more conscious life.