Recognising Our Points of No Return in Health

Just as climate change warns us with ‘points of no return’ — critical thresholds like melting ice sheets, disruption of ocean currents and the dying Amazon — our health, too, has its non-negotiable limits. Neglecting our physical and mental health can push us past points of no return, a lesson I learned the hard way.

On the final days of 2023, after years of ignoring the signals my body was sending, a series of medical examinations revealed I had developed primary adrenal insufficiency due to chronic stress. This condition, a stark physical manifestation of burnout, occurs when the adrenal glands, worn out from constant stress, fail to produce enough cortisol — the so-called stress hormone. Now, I’ll have to rely on lifelong hormone replacement therapy.

But this isn’t just about me. Many of us are on a similar path, burdened by chronic stress, poor diets, sedentary lifestyles, persistent obesity, unmanaged hypertension, diabetes, and untreated mental health issues.

These can lead us to severe heart disease, type 2 diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and severe mental health disorders — each a point of no return in its own right.

I learned too late that caring for my health is not just personal; it’s a fiduciary responsibility to those around me. Don’t wait for a wake-up call like mine. As we step into 2024, I urge you to use your New Year’s resolution to schedule a health check-up. Early detection and intervention can prevent crossing these critical thresholds, ensuring a healthier future for you and your loved ones.