Recommendations For Improving Health
As the director of your life, how often do you stop and analyze your daily decisions (or worse yet, indecision)? All too often habits that don’t serve us get built into our routine and are dealt with as a foregone conclusion. Lack of regularly timed, healthy nutrition, physical activity and adequate rest can wreak havoc in our lives. Rather than fly on auto-pilot in this fast-paced, cerebral world its all the more important to consider often your human nature.
Certain patterns of daily living are necessity if we expect to continually thrive. Remember, we humans are a part of nature and must learn to care for our bodies as our most valuable earthly possessions. Nature follows certain rules and so should you. Being mindful of the rules of nature regarding human health can lead to a happier and more productive life. No matter how daunting the task of healing may seem, even making one small change can be the catalyst for growth and prosperity.
“The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” -Lao Tzu
The guidelines:
Eat a big, healthy, and balanced breakfast within one hour of waking up that is made up of mostly whole foods. If your appetite isn’t big, make it into a shake or take some snacks with you as you start your day, such as raw nuts or soft boiled eggs.
Get at least some form of exercise each day, even if it’s just 20 minutes of walking. Aim for a minimum of 30 to 60 minutes of activity most days. If this is hard for you to find time to do, build it into your routine.
Try not to be busy with other things while you eat. This impairs digestion.
Don’t drink ice cold beverages with your meals, or too much liquid with your meals either. This also impairs digestion.
Strive to cut out white flour, white sugar, and empty calories from your diet.
Make sure your meals include a form of protein (vegetarians and vegans too!) and healthy, anti-inflammatory fat.
Chew your food well (count your chews up to 50 per bite if you aren’t sure) and don’t rush meals. Sitting is better than standing for relaxed eating.
Allow yourself higher caloric intake earlier in the day or closer to when you expend the most energy.
Raw foods, while good for you, can be hard to digest if you have a weaker digestive system. To aid your digestion, try to balance uncooked food with some cooked, or with some ginger tea. Your cooked to raw ratio will depend on the strength of your digestion, the time of day and the season. (Hint: Summer and midday are better times for some raw foods which might otherwise be too cold on your digestive system).
Take breaks from computer, television or phone screens at least every 30 minutes. Stretch your neck, arms and shoulders and focus your eyes on something away from the visual field you were just seeing.
Go to bed before 11 pm at night, and wake up with the help of natural sunlight if possible.
Keep your room free of lights and noise distractions while you are sleeping.
Make time for family and friends, but allow yourself enough personal time as well.
The beauty of making even one small change in your life to move towards better health is that over time the consideration with which you nourish yourself will in turn feed your spirit. With better energy, you can gain the motivation to achieve even more wellness and success. In time, this well deserved cycle of better living will enable you to attain ever larger goals with confidence and ease.