What leads to outstanding health? A little effort and a lot of awareness
1. Research + review + commons sense = the right choices for you.
The internet provides us a wealth of information with simply the click of a mouse. Take full advantage of this. Research any topic that impacts your health and wellness with an open mind. Check out sources that challenge your beliefs. Review the findings and apply common sense to determine what makes sense for YOU.
2. Be internally motivated as opposed to making choices based on the expectations of others. What works for you? No two people are alike. Determine what feeds your mind, body and spirit.
3. Create balance in your life. Every aspect of your life will be better if you make time for family, work or other responsibilities, recreation, exercise, spiritual practice, and quiet time for yourself.
4. Manage your time wisely. Many people experience stress because they are overcommitted. Look at your schedule in an objective way and eliminate or delegate whatever you are not passionate about.
5. Evaluate your diet and nutritional needs. There are many pitfalls in our food supply. Learn more about Organic and GMO foods, Vitamin D Deficiency (which is implicated in a host of serious conditions) aspartame (just because there are no calories doesn’t mean it’s good for you). Plan your meals and snacks. Eat for Optimal Health.
6. Move a lot. Incorporate exercise, movement and stretching into your daily routine. Determine what works for you. Your plan should be safe, comfortable and become a valued part of your schedule.
7. Manage your emotions. We are now aware that the so called “molecules of emotion” are found in every cell of your body, not only in the brain. A common emotion that we feel is stress. Stress related hormones are powerful and impact us in a very negative way. They contribute to illness (according to the CDC, up to 85% of illness is a result of stress) accidents, poor decisions, unhealthy habits and coping mechanisms, and more.
Meditation is first on my list for managing emotions. It is simple, affordable and very powerful. We have also learned that the brain has “neuroplasticity”. Much like a muscle, it is improved and enhance by exercise. In this case, exercise in the form of meditation allows us to be in a peaceful place in the face of challenges. That becomes our fallback position. It’s also very healthy to feel and express gratitude, forgiveness, and, at times acceptance.
