Buzz
Even those who are healthiest, most active, and mentally upbeat experience moments of physical or emotional fatigue. For many, this is a frequent challenge. Recognizing the underlying causes quickly can help you take action sooner to address them.
It’s easy to observe a friend or loved one struggling and offer thoughts on what led to their troubles. But when it’s our own lives, it's much harder to identify the root of the issue. That's when a self-reflection session can be truly helpful. Below are 10 key questions to ask yourself regularly, helping you uncover areas of your life that may need attention, particularly concerning your health.
Why taking the time for a personal check-in can be so beneficial.
Think back to your most recent check-up. Along with the routine tests—blood work, blood pressure readings, reflex checks—your healthcare provider likely asked you some deeply personal questions. This wasn’t prying; the goal was to gather important insights about your lifestyle, habits, and family history that could help assess your overall health.
But that’s not all. As Dr. Michael Barber, MD, PhD, a board-certified internist and cardiologist, shared with Real Simple, “Discussing topics like diet, exercise, or alcohol and tobacco use can spark more meaningful conversations, often leading to a more focused dialogue about how to improve overall health.”
While a self-check-in shouldn’t replace a physical exam or seeking medical advice, regularly asking yourself certain questions can help you stay informed and proactive about your health.
Key questions to ask yourself when evaluating your health.
Instead of waiting for your next check-up, make it a habit to regularly ask yourself key questions—especially when you can’t quite figure out why you’re feeling off.
There are a variety of self-assessments available, each with a different set of questions. These include assessments from Real Simple, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Princeton University, and IDONTMIND, some of which are more comprehensive than others. To give you a starting point, here are 10 frequently asked questions that you may encounter.
How are you feeling today, physically? (e.g. Any aches, pains, difficulty breathing, digestive problems, etc.)
How would you describe your mental state today? (e.g. Current mood, overall mental state, are any changes situational, etc.)
How is your energy level? (e.g. Unusually high or low, average, etc.)
What are your eating habits? (e.g. How often you eat, types of food you consume, how you feel after eating, etc.)
How are your sleeping patterns? (e.g. Not enough sleep, too much sleep, sufficient hours but unrestful, etc.)
Taking a neutral approach, what behaviors or habits might affect your health—positively, negatively, or neutrally? (e.g. Eating, sleeping, exercise/movement, relationships, substance use, finances, etc.)
Can you identify any changes to your habits or behaviors that could improve your health? (e.g. Reducing stress, improving nutrition, more rest, etc.)
How significant is your job or career to your life? (e.g. Is it just a paycheck, a toxic work environment affecting your mental health, a job that is unfulfilling, etc.)
Do you regularly feel intellectually or mentally engaged? (e.g. At work, with hobbies, within your social or community circle, etc.)
What is something you're looking forward to? (e.g. Is there a way to incorporate more of this into your life in a healthy manner?)
Once you have a better understanding of what aspects of your health may need attention, create a plan to tackle your most pressing issues. If there's anything you're particularly worried about, consider making an appointment with a healthcare provider to discuss your concerns.
