The Foundations of Health

Well, spring actually seems like it’s trying to arrive and with it, our bodies are going through changes whether we realize it or not. Have any of you noticed a desire for lighter meals, fresh fruit or salads? I certainly have! As the time and the length of light hours change with the seasons, our bodies automatically adjust and crave the things that are best for them.

We’ve discussed fasting and detox in past shows, but I want to get you thinking on an easier level today. Nothing drastic. Most people don’t really think about their health until it interferes with their act of daily living. By that time, they have to concentrate on getting back to a state of wellness and then, our health goes on the back burner again.

I’m wondering how many of you actually prioritize your health. Do you schedule things into your daily routine that will help you meet health goals? Do you even HAVE health goals!? I’m going to explain the 9 foundations of health and suggestions that you can start today to get you to a state of wellness before summer arrives. No long fasts, no icky diets, no strange formulas. Just easy to do tasks to help your body as it makes the transition from that hibernation state to summer fun state.

The World Health Organization says that health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being. Not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. OK. Show of hands, when you think of health, how many of you consider anything else other than the physical? Come on! Don’t lie. How many of you have actually put in your calendar time to nourish your emotional state? Or your mental state? News flash, NOT listening or reading the news is a GREAT start for this one! But I digress. Making every part of our health a priority and actually taking time out each and every day to build each area up will go a long way to keeping us on the road to health and happiness. And ALL of them are important. Think about dementia. You can have the healthiest body in the world, but if your mental state is not healthy, is that really quality of life?

OK. So here are the 9 foundations of health and simple things you can do every day to keep them strong.

First up is air. You can only survive about 8 minutes without air. Some people say 3, but I know Navy Divers who have done it. Check your breathing regularly. Are you taking short, rapid breaths? Try the 4-7-8 technique. You can do this anywhere, any time. Inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 7 seconds, exhale for 8 seconds. That’s it. HINT – If you’re driving you can do this, just don’t close your eyes!

Next is water. 3 days without water is the max, but you should be drinking half your body weight in oz of pure, clean water every single day.

Food is next. 30 days without food is the normal limit the body can tolerate without serious damage. Your food needs to be nutrient dense, true food. I’ve preached on this incessantly, so I won’t bore you with more of that.

Next is sunlight. Strive for 15 minutes per day. On clean naked skin. In consideration of your neighbors, please make sure to keep the nakedness to a minimum. The face and arms are fine. Morning is actually the best time for this as it shuts off the production of melatonin.

Next is exercise. Appropriate to your fitness level, but most everyone can walk or ride a stationary bike, so there’s no excuse for sedentary lifestyles. Work for at least 30 minutes of concerted effort every day.

Rest. This is a big one. You simply MUST get 8 hours of rest a night. And no, you cannot build it up or make up for it on the weekends. Added to that, of those 8 hours, 1.5 to 2 hours a night should be REM sleep in the deep dream state. That’s when your body does its best repairs.

Balanced emotions. There are lots of ways to do this, but the simplest way is to ACT, don’t react. Anger, bitterness, unforgiveness play havoc on the body physically, trust me. So guard your emotions, avoid toxic people, even if they are in your immediate family, and try to stay calm.

Body and energy work is next. This can be stretching, chiropractic adjustments to keep your spine in shape, massage, saunas, bath soaks and forest soaking, which most of us up here do as a matter of habit! (it’s nothing fancy, it just means walking quietly in the woods).

Last but not least is spirituality. Now, how you do this is between you and God, but take time every day to nurture this part of your whole being.

I’ll leave you with this. Do something in each area – body mind and spirit, every day to move yourself toward your health goals. And LET’S GET BETTER!

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