I was going to Paris and I was not working on a weekday – both exciting firsts for me. Everything was going great. Then trouble. I exited the plane and was greeted by a beautiful representative of Air France. She pleasantly reported that the airline had lost my luggage and a search had been initiated. She handed me a small travel bag tattooed with an Air France logo and said “sir, this should see you through.”

I entered the city of Paris with the shirt on my back, a wallet, and the small travel kit from Air France that the airline had confidently prepared as a substitute for my tightly packed mid-sized Hartmann luggage that was wandering somewhere between Turner Field and the Eiffel Towel. When I reached my hotel and opened the bag advertised as containing everything I needed to “see me through”, I saw what was judged by Air France to be essentials of travel: comb, cologne, deodorant, T-shirt with logo, toothbrush, razor and shaving cream, toothpaste, tissue, brush, mirror, cotton, soap, shampoo, two condoms (Paris is the city of romance), nail file, Q-tips and a Band-Aid. It was a very efficiently packed and organized travel kit.

It’s important for the health profession to follow the lead of the travel industry and Air France. What luggage of health should I recommend for my patients to “see them through?”

When one eliminates the ubiquitous excess baggage of health advertising and promotions, there are five essential pieces of luggage necessary for the healthy journey of life:

1. The piece of luggage marked “Brain” containing items for mental health. One must prepare for life daily with optimism. Stress, depression, and one’s view of self and the world must be managed.

2. The luggage for general physical care labeled “Body”. One needs an occasional physical examination by a health care professional. This examination should include a blood pressure check plus some screening tests, such as a mammogram, pap smear, sigmoidoscopy, PSA and cholesterol check.

3. “Social Care” luggage includes one good spouse, a few good friends, some volunteer work, pets in the house and one or two hobbies. It is clear that each of these factors prolong life and improves one’s view of the quality of life. With four Russian Wolfhounds, I should live forever.

4. “Luggage of Life” habits. The medical data is unambiguous in this area. Don’t smoke, limit alcohol to one drink per day, and exercise regularly but lightly. The diet should be low fat and high fiber. Take one aspirin and a multivitamin daily.

5. The fifth piece of essential luggage, labeled “Spiritual” will include the observation that a relationship with God, a house of worship and a faith favor longer life. Prayer helps medical care. Also with this piece of luggage one may pragmatically prepare to leave life by submitting advanced directives, wills, and a plan to be an organ donor.

At times any one may be lost for a while. That also is part of life’s journey.

Regarding my travel to Paris, the play was great. I was with my daughter and she was happy. The luggage arrived, but I already had the essentials.