Ok, so now I’ve outed myself as a Reality Show junkie, although now I’m gleaming insights which could be dangerous. In the Rachel Zoe Season Finale, we get a glimpse into her world and how she and her husband are managing her issues with Vertigo. Not fun to have and clearly she’s on the path to self-destruction if she doesn’t make changes. Never did I think I’d be putting Rachel Zoe out as an example for how to manage your health but there are three lessons from this show to draw upon:
1. Tell the Truth – why go to the doctor – many times – if you’re not going to be honest about the severity of your symptoms, whether you’ve followed their direction for activities, diet, etc? Doctors can only help you if you let them and as they are processing your information to come up with the best solution for you, why leave out important information? How many other places in life do people want to authentically help you – so help them do it!
2. Get a Bulldog – most think of this as the “advocate” for your health, though thinking of them as a bulldog puts them in the right framework to get the job done that the sickly friend can’t. We rarely have the energy to drive ourselves to the doctor when sick, never mind waiting alone, telling your story, listening to the directions, and then following the directions. Let someone else push through it all and make you the priority and at the very least join in on the visit to hear the doctor’s instructions. As we saw on the show, the bulldog can also push back on the patient – though Roger was going a bit over the edge for Rachel’s liking – he did manage to push through the spinning cycle to make change.
3. Make Changes – big kudos for Rachel and Roger for creating a plan to change the stress in her life that’s causing the Vertigo. Let’s face it, she’s a creative talent trying to run an operation, so putting her husband in that role probably should have come earlier since the staff is made of creative types as well. I have a feeling the passive aggressive behavior will change in the future, definitely aiding to reduce stress. In any event – she’s breaking the cycle and making changes. That’s the hardest thing for people to do, and more difficult to sustain it.
Guess we’ll have to wait until next season to find out whether the change stuck and if she’s doing better. Meanwhile, I wonder what other shows we least expect to teach us lessons about managing their health will come from Bravotv!
