Although our medical technology is much greater than in the past, it still can't solve the basic problems we can cause by an unhealthy lifestyle. If we make a conscious effort to really take care of ourselves through proactive and preventative measures, then our need for 'medical fixes' will be far more reduced.
Living an abundant, healthy life is a daily choice. Here are five foundational keys to help you start your journey into total health and wellness. Choosing to be proactive with your health on all levels not only helps to avoid illness and disease, but it also helps to maintain ideal body mass as well as mental and emotional balance.
1. Get Into Physical Training (Focused Exercise)
Throughout history, we performed labor using our physical bodies in the course of a normal work day. However, in our current society, most work doesn't require physical exertion because many things have now been replaced with advanced mechanics and/or technology. When we think about it, getting into our cars, driving to an office and sitting at a desk all day doesn't allow our physical bodies to operate as they were intended to. This type of inactivity can create an environment for ailments and disease to develop. Taking regular walks can be a good place to start in caring for your physical body.
2. Get Enough Rest (Sleep)
This may be a no brainer, but in our fast-paced culture, too many people are sleep deprived due to stress. With the pressures of school, work, finances and relationships, excess stress can create multiple issues for the body leading to disease. I remember when I was in college, there were times that I would be up until the early morning hours finishing projects which not only took a toll on my physical body but on my emotional health as well. Medical professionals agree that a variety of problems related to long-term stress can cause depression, anxiety, obesity and other eating disorders. Getting proper sleep can help alleviate many potential ailments and diseases.
3. Eat Right (Evaluate or Reevaluate Your Diet If Needed)
This is also a simple concept, but we often don't pay attention to our body and its need for proper food. If we just eat anything out of habit or eat due to stress, then we don't digest our food properly. As a result, our bodies can become acidic and susceptible to disease. A healthy appetite is good but a proper diet keeps the body's pH levels, hormone and sugar levels balanced. Most of my life, I've had problems with hormone and blood sugar balance. My carbohydrate cravings were often 'off the charts' so-to-speak but I eventually found a great diet that's worked for me--one that incorporates the right amounts of protein, low glycemic carbohydrates and non-saturated fats.
4. Feed Your Spirit
I've come to understand that as humans, we are what's called a triune being. What this means is that as a human we are a three-part being that consists of a spirit, a soul and a physical body. To experience total health and wellness, we need to take care of each part of our being. All parts of us are integrated. Therefore, stress and anxiety take their toll not only on the physical body but also on our soul (where our emotions are located) and our physical body. Prayer and meditation can help fortify and strengthen your spirit which in turn strengthens the soul and the physical body.
5. Prioritize Your Life
Most of us believe we're too busy to get everything done in our lives. We run around like a 'chicken with our heads cut off' and wonder why we're so stressed and exhausted. The truth is, much of what we do is not as important as we make it out to be. Prioritizing the activities in our lives help us in two distinct ways: 1). It allows us to focus and complete our activities with efficiency and excellence; and 2). It relieves a great amount of unnecessary stress. That is, by prioritizing our lives, we don't feel overwhelmed. Therefore, we experience more peace and freedom in every area of our lives.
These foundational keys may require you to assess your current lifestyle. If you're not at peace with where you are in your life right now, then ask yourself if you're willing to make changes. If so, you'll discover that your choices will be well worth the results.
Living an abundant, healthy life is a daily choice. Here are five foundational keys to help you start your journey into total health and wellness. Choosing to be proactive with your health on all levels not only helps to avoid illness and disease, but it also helps to maintain ideal body mass as well as mental and emotional balance.
1. Get Into Physical Training (Focused Exercise)
Throughout history, we performed labor using our physical bodies in the course of a normal work day. However, in our current society, most work doesn't require physical exertion because many things have now been replaced with advanced mechanics and/or technology. When we think about it, getting into our cars, driving to an office and sitting at a desk all day doesn't allow our physical bodies to operate as they were intended to. This type of inactivity can create an environment for ailments and disease to develop. Taking regular walks can be a good place to start in caring for your physical body.
2. Get Enough Rest (Sleep)
This may be a no brainer, but in our fast-paced culture, too many people are sleep deprived due to stress. With the pressures of school, work, finances and relationships, excess stress can create multiple issues for the body leading to disease. I remember when I was in college, there were times that I would be up until the early morning hours finishing projects which not only took a toll on my physical body but on my emotional health as well. Medical professionals agree that a variety of problems related to long-term stress can cause depression, anxiety, obesity and other eating disorders. Getting proper sleep can help alleviate many potential ailments and diseases.
3. Eat Right (Evaluate or Reevaluate Your Diet If Needed)
This is also a simple concept, but we often don't pay attention to our body and its need for proper food. If we just eat anything out of habit or eat due to stress, then we don't digest our food properly. As a result, our bodies can become acidic and susceptible to disease. A healthy appetite is good but a proper diet keeps the body's pH levels, hormone and sugar levels balanced. Most of my life, I've had problems with hormone and blood sugar balance. My carbohydrate cravings were often 'off the charts' so-to-speak but I eventually found a great diet that's worked for me--one that incorporates the right amounts of protein, low glycemic carbohydrates and non-saturated fats.
4. Feed Your Spirit
I've come to understand that as humans, we are what's called a triune being. What this means is that as a human we are a three-part being that consists of a spirit, a soul and a physical body. To experience total health and wellness, we need to take care of each part of our being. All parts of us are integrated. Therefore, stress and anxiety take their toll not only on the physical body but also on our soul (where our emotions are located) and our physical body. Prayer and meditation can help fortify and strengthen your spirit which in turn strengthens the soul and the physical body.
5. Prioritize Your Life
Most of us believe we're too busy to get everything done in our lives. We run around like a 'chicken with our heads cut off' and wonder why we're so stressed and exhausted. The truth is, much of what we do is not as important as we make it out to be. Prioritizing the activities in our lives help us in two distinct ways: 1). It allows us to focus and complete our activities with efficiency and excellence; and 2). It relieves a great amount of unnecessary stress. That is, by prioritizing our lives, we don't feel overwhelmed. Therefore, we experience more peace and freedom in every area of our lives.
These foundational keys may require you to assess your current lifestyle. If you're not at peace with where you are in your life right now, then ask yourself if you're willing to make changes. If so, you'll discover that your choices will be well worth the results.
