Posted on

National Health Care Decisions Day

Today is National Health Care Decisions Day, and according to the National Day Calendar, April 16th is the day that has been set aside to educate and empower the public to make advance planning for their healthcare. It deals primarily with the importance of having an advance directive or a living will.

 

While you may consider this something that only senior citizens should think about, one never knows what may happen in the future, so it’s never too soon to make that decision.  And while you are thinking about that, what about your present state of health? What decision can you make about your health for today?

 

Can you decide today that you are going to consume less sugar, increase your physical activity and do something that makes you feel better about yourself?

Which brings me to the second focus of this post: Orchids

What do orchids have to do with making health care decisions, you ask? Well, today is also National Orchid Day, and I think it is no accident that the two days fall on the same date, because like most plants, orchids do have some healing properties.

 

According to Orchid Care Zone, the Chinese were the first to discover the healing properties of these beautiful plants and today use it as a medicinal tea.  The flower, bulbs, stems and even the root are used for medicinal purposes. The article states that orchids are used to treat  illnesses such as asthma,   arthritis, diarrhea, fever, pimples and even cancer, to name a few.  And guess what? I just learned that vanilla extract comes from the orchid Vanilla planifolia! So now I have another reason to love orchids.

Now, I’m not a doctor, and I have never used orchids as medicine, but I love them for their beauty, their sturdiness – I haven’t repotted my orchids in a year and they keep on blooming – and the relaxing ambience they impart to my home.

 

So, even if you are wary of using orchids as medicine, why not purchase one and care for it as you would a pet?

Here are some of the benefits you will receive:

  • Improved air quality
  • Relaxed atmosphere
  • Reduced dust and airborne pollutants
  • Lower room temperature
  • A feeling of pride as you watch your orchids bloom

Do I need to say more?  Whatever healthcare decision you make today, let it include getting an orchid. You won’t regret it. Also, if you are still putting off getting a health coach, include that in your decision-making as well.

[contact-form][contact-field label=”Name” type=”name” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Email” type=”email” required=”true” /][contact-field label=”Website” type=”url” /][contact-field label=”Message” type=”textarea” /][/contact-form]