Prevention Is Better Than Cure: Creating a Life That Doesn’t Need Repair

We’ve all heard the saying “prevention is better than cure,” but it often gets tossed around like a cliché rather than a guiding principle for life. For many of us, we only start making big changes after a major health scare, a relationship breakdown, or full-blown burnout. But what I know and what I’ve experienced, we don’t need to wait for the crash before we take action. We can start shaping a life now that doesn’t need repairing later.

Why We Wait Until We Break

Somewhere along the way, our culture started romanticising “the comeback story.” The narrative of hustling so hard you burn out, hitting rock bottom, and then rebuilding yourself has become almost a badge of honour. While those stories are inspiring, they can also create the impression that you have to break before you can rebuild - but you don’t.

Prevention isn’t dramatic. It’s quiet. It’s choosing the salad over the quick burger when you know your body needs the greens. It’s going for that walk or moving your body when collapsing on the couch feels easier. It’s saying no to another commitment because you value your energy. These micro-choices rarely make headlines, but they are what keep us thriving instead of merely surviving.

Listening to Your Early Warning Signs

Your body is constantly speaking to you - the question is, are you listening? That stubborn headache, the pit in your stomach when you say yes to something you didn’t want to do, the fatigue that no amount of coffee can fix - these are all signals.

Try asking yourself:

• What is my body trying to tell me right now?
• What do I need more of? Rest, connection, nourishment, movement?
• What do I need less of? Busyness, negative energy, rushing, burdens?
• Where am I ignoring the signs because it feels easier to push through?

When we respond early, we can often stop small issues from turning into big ones. Just like a mechanic would rather fix a small rattle before your engine fails, your body would rather you notice the whispers before they turn into screams.

Creating Daily Foundations for Health and Energy

Prevention doesn’t have to mean rigid rules or joyless routines. It can look like simple, sustainable rituals that anchor you:

Morning check-ins: Start the day by asking yourself how you want to feel and what you need. A few minutes of stillness, journaling, or gratitude can set the tone.

Movement you enjoy: Walking, yoga, swimming - whatever feels good. The key is consistency, not punishment.

Nourishing food: Think of food as fuel. Choose meals that give you steady energy instead of sugar spikes and crashes.

Boundaries: Protect your energy like it’s gold. Say no when you need to, step away from negativity, and prioritise the people and activities that make you feel alive.

The Rocking Chair Test

Here’s a practice I like to use to check if I’m living consciously and preventatively: picture yourself decades from now - say, in your 90s, sitting on a porch in your rocking chair. Will you be smiling, knowing you lived well, or will you be full of regrets about what you didn’t do, say, or prioritise?

Use that image as your compass. It’s not about being perfect - it’s about making enough aligned choices now so that future you is proud, healthy, and at peace.

Prevention Beyond Physical Health

This applies to every part of life:

Relationships: Are you nurturing them before they start to crumble? Checking in, having the hard conversations, celebrating the little moments?

Work: Are you creating sustainable rhythms, or are you working until you’re depleted? Could systems, delegating, or better planning prevent constant fire-fighting?

Mental health: Are you waiting until you’re overwhelmed to reach out for support, or do you have regular check-ins with yourself and trusted friends?

Prevention is about designing life with foresight, not reacting after the damage is done.

Choosing the Right Support

Part of prevention is finding the right people to walk with you - doctors, practitioners, mentors, and friends who respect your choices and values. If a health professional dismisses your concerns, it’s okay to find someone who will listen. Your health and well-being are worth advocating for.

The Real Cost of Waiting for a Cure

Waiting for a crisis doesn’t just cost money in medical bills or therapy sessions. It costs time, energy, opportunities, and often, peace of mind. Prevention might take effort upfront, but it gives you back years of vitality and the ability to fully show up in your life.

Living Consciously - Not Cautiously

Prevention isn’t about living in fear, wrapping yourself in bubble wrap, or saying no to every indulgence. It’s about living consciously - being awake to your choices and their long-term impact. It’s about moderation, intentionality, and having the courage to pause before life forces you to stop.

Here’s your invitation: 
Pause right now. Take a breath. Check in with your body, your mind, and your heart. What’s one thing you could do today that your future self would thank you for?

Because prevention really is better than cure - and living well now is the best insurance policy you could ever take out for your future.