“Health requires daily investment to maintain the freedom of action in our senior years.” Jingyi believes that we cannot choose whether or not we get sick, but we can choose the mindset with which we face it.
Jingyi, a 55-year-old, experienced menopause five years ago, coinciding with the onset of hypertension and psoriatic arthritis. Her condition caused constant pain on one side of her body, difficulty sleeping at night, and worsening mood. This, in turn, led to escalating cholesterol and blood pressure levels. It was a vicious cycle where the physical affected the psychological, and the psychological influenced the physical. Even the doctors were concerned about her and requested her to use a 24-hour blood pressure monitor.
After a year of suffering, Jingyi decided to seek Chinese medicine and acupuncture as alternative methods. While others eagerly anticipated using the government’s first round of consumer vouchers for entertainment and dining, Jingyi found a nutritionist for herself and actively adjusted her dietary habits. Not only did she successfully lose over ten kilograms, but she also stabilized her blood pressure.
From being a local tour guide for Indian groups to working as a caregiver in a nursing home, Jingyi describes herself as someone who enjoys experiencing new things and seizes every opportunity while she still has the physical ability. After her condition stabilized, Jingyi happened to come across a recruitment notice for health guides at one of our CRN centres. Without much hesitation, she signed up and went through the interview process, ultimately being selected. During the training program, she learned that besides medication, lifestyle habits, exercise, sleep, diet, and mood management can also be the way out for patients. Having gone through the experience herself, she wants to let more people know and customize their own action plans.
Up to now, Jingyi has accompanied three patients as a health coach. She believes that as long as one treats others sincerely and listens to their joys and sorrows, even the most unyielding person can soften and be willing to share. Other people’s stories are, to her, constant encouragement and reminders. “Anyone can become a health coach as long as they have the heart for it. I have participated in many volunteer activities organized by different institutions, but I am willing to stick with this program by CRN for a long time, guiding patients on a journey to explore alternative solutions instead of relying solely on medication for a lifetime, especially those with hypertension.”