Why Personalised Health & Wellbeing Routines Are the Only Way Forward 

In partnership with First Contact Health

 

If there’s one overarching trend that has been dominating the headlines this year, it is the focus on using science and technology to back up the decisions we make about our health and fitness. It is about taking an individual approach to our wellness. We’ve always known that one-size-does-not-fit-all when it comes to health and wellbeing, but we’re now actively searching for what actually does work for us on a personal level.

This is a noted generational shift happening in the healthcare world globally. Younger tech-savvy Gen Z and Millennial consumers want data and personalised care. They want to know what works for them in the long term to better optimise their already established wellness routines. And because it’s such a smart move, the industry is following.

Why? Well, because it just makes sense. Why waste time guessing and hoping that something is going to work for you without backing it up with data? A focus on longevity over aesthetics is a key part, and we’re here for it. It's educated and forward thinking. We’ve all heard or thought “I just want to be able to run around with my future grandchildren” or “I want to bounce out of bed in the morning for as long as possible.” These things are about getting healthy from the inside out. And that starts with knowing what is going on on the inside.

This concept is not new - most personal training or one-to-one sessions start with personalised tests and benchmark notes in order to tailor a routine that will work for you. Plus, a lot of nutritionists prefer to rely on personalised blood and gut tests before prescribing diet changes. However, whilst the concept of personalised testing in wellness is not new, the availability of science and technology to the average person is. And with the increase in wearable tech for personalised data, we already know a lot more about our bodies than we did before (even if we don’t necessarily understand it or know how to use the info quite literally at our fingertips to help us). That’s where having an expert opinion can really help, so you know what should be normal for you and what your individual body needs in order to thrive. We recently discovered that this is available right here in Guernsey at First Contact Health, where a full expert wellness check will provide you with a comprehensive, bespoke picture of your health. You'll then be able to set goals and targets accordingly to better optimise your wellbeing.

 

If you're wondering what kind of data we are talking about, here are five ways you can personalise your wellness routine right now to benefit you in the long run:

1. Get A Blood Test 

There is only so much a physical examination check up can do. Blood tests can reveal so much more about what is happening in your body. It can check your vitamin levels, as well as your cholesterol and iron levels, and identify deficiencies that once dealt with can make a huge difference to the way you feel - and would have been unlikely to easily identify without a blood test. Your doctor is likely to run a blood test to look for certain indicators when you are presenting symptoms, but a private test via a wellness check or nutritionist will offer a more holistic overview - and provide you with the results in a report. This is a preventative approach, rather than waiting for something to go wrong before you see someone.

2. Stay On Top Of Your Screenings

It’s easy to skip an appointment when it feels like there’s nothing wrong with you. Or because you don’t want to know. But we all know that early detection is key for the treatment of almost all ailments, from big to small. And living in denial doesn't slow anything down. Make sure you stay on top of any invitations for age appropriate screenings from your doctor. And for further peace of mind, particularly if you have a history of a condition or disease in your family, you can also book one yourself. A lot of health insurers include preventative health and wellness checks and screenings in your coverage so be sure to check, because it might not cost you anything at all.

3. Book A Full Body Scan

This is the ultimate step in preventative healthcare. If you want to start as you mean to go on and get everything checked out to know exactly where you are right now, then a full body MRI scan can offer full insight into your internal health. First Contact Health offer this without a GP referral. The scan is non-invasive and can help detect hundreds of conditions, including early signs of cancer, aneurysms, tumours, and abnormal tissue growth. It's also pretty fascinating to know more about your body, so don't be intimidated by the idea. The initial goal is to make sure everything is healthy and learn how to be even healthier, not find something that isn't.

4. Get A Fitness Assessment

You don't have to be a professional athlete to get a professional fitness assessment. In fact, it’s so important to have a benchmark and understand your body before you start any kind of new fitness routine for a few reasons: firstly to prevent injury, secondly for efficiency because you're no longer guessing, and thirdly to account for “invisible” progress, such as improvements to your heart and lung health. Those things don't show up on the scale, but they do account for why you feel better or things feel easier. The best test for this is a VO2 Max test (available at First Contact Health as part of their Complete wellness check ups) - yes that’s the one you've seen on the tv where people run on the treadmill with a mask on. It's all based on your levels of fitness to work out where you are, so bear that in mind. It's not a test you pass or fail!

5. Talk To An Expert

It’s all well and good having all of this information but if we don't have an expert to understand the results for us and connect the dots into tweaking or creating our personalised health, fitness and wellness routines, then really we won’t see the benefit of the tests. Make sure you are guided by experts when deciding to delve more into preventative health to ensure you are truly getting the most out of your time and efforts. 

 

And all of this is possible, right here in Guernsey. First Contact Health have recently launched their Wellness Screening packages, something they view as an annual check up, not dissimilar to getting your car serviced every year. Prices start from £199.

Plus, a Wellness Check at First Contact Health ensures you receive a personalised written report from their in-house Wellness Clinician or a full 45-60 min appointment with their in-house doctor to fully interpret and discuss results as well as make a game plan for your future health.

To find out more or book, visit firstcontacthealth.com/wellness-checks

P.S. we've also managed to snag a discount for all readers of The List.
Quote 'The List' for 20% off the Advanced & Elite packages
(those are the ones with the really impressive high tech bits!)