Wellness Medicine

Hospitals are usually cold, I trained in several and have since worked in many more, so I thought I knew what cold means. I had already accepted that hospitals come with their own kind of chill, the air-conditioning is always running, the hallways feel a little too cool, and you eventually learn to carry a sweater even when it is warm outside. Last month, I was assigned an office at a wellness camp, and I learnt new definitions of cold. A few minutes later, though, I was sitting at my desk with my shoulders pulled up, rubbing my hands together and wondering how I would have known I should dress for winter when it was nowhere near winter outside. Since it was someone else`s office I began to wonder whether the person who normally worked there was secretly a penguin and had specifically requested the temperature to be kept at “Antarctica.” .

Because honestly, there is no other explanation. How does a human being sit in there for hours and function normally? I asked if there was a heater, hoping someone would come along with a simple solution. Nope, no heater: just me, my desk, and temperatures that were determined to turn me into an ice sculpture.

Two weeks later, and I am happy to report that I did not turn into a pillar of ice. Somehow, I survived the freezing office, and looking back, I can honestly say I had one of the best experiences. As a clinician, my favorite part of what I do has always been serving people. A wellness check may seem like a simple appointment but it gives healthcare professionals an opportunity to check in on more than just a specific illness or complaint. We can talk about nutrition, physical activity, sleep, stress, mental well-being, medications, and other areas that can affect how a person feels and functions every day. These routine visits can also help identify potential health concerns early, before they become bigger problems.

Wellness is really about looking at the whole person and finding ways to support a healthier and more balanced life. Small changes, such as eating better, staying active, getting enough rest, managing stress, or simply keeping up with regular checkups, can contribute to better health over time.

As a clinician, being able to educate and encourage people is one of the most rewarding parts of my work. There is something special about knowing that a conversation or wellness check might motivate someone to pay more attention to their health or take an important step toward preventing future problems. The cold office may have tested my ability to feel my fingers, but the people I met and the opportunity to serve made every chilly moment worth it.

Wellness medicine is my favorite part of medicine. I love wellness medicine, so much that you should see my face when I am doing that. I believe prevention is better than cure and wellness medicine allows for that. It allows you to know what you need to change when there is still time enough for change.