Left and right, man down, man down! Yet you still stand, maybe barely, but you stand searching the horizons for the answer. The answer to health so you can remain standing, soon running, sprinting, thriving.
Wait health, you say? What does that even mean anymore in this chaotic world in which we live?
Having optimal immune health is something we all could benefit from right now or so they say. However, beyond this pandemic, it’s important to keep our bodies strong and healthy year-round, no matter what season it may be. Being healthy means having a strong immune system which serves as our unique defence system.
Daily, we are exposed to microbes, pathogens and viruses that we never know we encountered, thanks to our immune systems. They are actively fighting for us 24/7. If, on the other hand, we are easily prone to becoming sick, we become the ‘man down’, our immune systems may be trying to tell us something important. It’s pleading for a little more TLC, literally!
The modern world is a crazy place, constantly changing and evolving. Naturally, our lifestyles evolve to keep up the frantic demands we encounter each and every day. If we make time for self-care or time to enjoy and relax, we get behind, it feels wrong. Society tells us so.
We are running out the door, late to our appointments, constantly stressed, add to this poor quality food, pollution, environmental illness, electromagnetic wave exposure, etc! Sounds like a disaster wreaking havoc on our lives, all of us, in some way or another. The true definition of an unhealthy living!
You’re not busy? Well mate, get your bum up and get going!
The busier our lives get, the worse our health becomes- mentally, physically, emotionally. Yet, now, more than ever we live in a world that is also indirectly demanding us to be healthy?
Stop, stop, I can’t handle any more OUTRAGEOUS demands!
What if I told you self-care, conscious eating, relaxation, time with friends and family was the key to true health?
Well sounds lovely, sign me up!
But now you’re stuck and unsure where to start because, well….the Keto diet is definitely the way to health, but Paleo will make you feel 100% better, don't forget Vegan and the Raw diet, oh and kale isn’t the best superfood, but your doctor told you it was? Wow, confused? Don’t worry, I don’t blame you. Who are we to believe? The news, our friends, the doctor, the latest health show? Where do I get my answers? Why so much contradictory information? It seems the more we read, educate ourselves and try to understand what to follow, the more confused we become, as if we are being punished for seeking answers. Feels a bit like scrambling for a way out of an endless maze of chaos!
Good news, have no fear! There are a few, simple implementable answers that will allow you to take one giant step in the right direction to living a thriving life. No seriously, I promise!
Control Stress
Each and every one of us experiences stress to some degree and that’s NORMAL. It’s most important to identify how we cope with it. Some stress may stem from our careers, family life or a chronic illness or injury. There are many, easy ways to naturally manage stress! Keep any change simple.
Exercise- By moving our bodies, there is a release of “happy” hormones (a.k.a. endorphins) which trigger positive feelings. Exercise can be as simple as a walk in the neighborhood, yoga session or bike ride. There’s no need to hit the gym hard. Although, if you’re a gym guru, by all means keep it up- just be careful not to overdo it. Wearing our bodies out from too much exercise can actually be harmful to our immune systems, not allowing it enough energy to make necessary repairs within the muscles, tissues and cells.
Eat for health (more on this below)
Limit caffeine consumption- Sure, have your morning cup of joe, no problem there! However, continuing throughout the day can be harmful to your system in the long term. Instead of making your morning coffee your typical same- old, same- old, take a minute to stop and enjoy it instead of just rushing it down. If you’re used to multiple cups of coffee, ease off by making a swap to green tea which will give you energy, while providing antioxidants. Add a little honey or a squeeze of lemon if you’d like! Maybe you’re thinking Ew, yuck I’ve tried tea and it’s definitely not for me. There is a vast amount of options out there for teas from green to black to oolong to chai. Experiment and find one you’d like.
Regulate screen use of both phone and computer. Decreasing screen time will help put less strain on our eyes, which can induce headaches and cause trouble sleeping, detracting from your body’s ability to heal and make necessary repairs.
Writing things down. Making to-do lists are lifesavers- seriously. How many times have you woken up in the middle of the night with something on your mind? Keep a pad of paper next to your bed and immediately write down the thought. Leave it there and come back to it in the morning. In terms of keeping daily life organized, first, get a planner. Make a monthly to do list. Then, to plan the week, make to- do lists on Friday afternoons. By making the list on Friday, we don’t have to think about things over the weekend and if there’s someone you need to connect with before Monday, that gives you time to do so. We’re telling you, to-do lists are the best and wow, crossing off your accomplishments really does make you feel good!
Eat Well, Eat Plants
The more color you consume, the better! Eat the rainbow, as they say. No, sorry not the factory made cereal with fun rainbow, colorful marshmallows. I’m talking the natural color found in the produce section. By eating lots and fruits and veggies, you’re providing your body with the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to thrive. Include oranges, broccoli, strawberries, carrots, peppers, watermelon, leafy greens, etc. Buy one new fruit or veggie you wouldn’t normally buy and see what fun recipe you can come up with. Get the whole family involved and teach the kiddos how to cook!
Prioritize Rest
A lack of sleep (less than 6 hours) is bad news for your little immunity warriors. A lack of sleep will make us more susceptible to sickness and recovery time from a virus will be significantly affected. Did you know it’s recommended that the average adult get 7-9 hours of sleep? Keeping a routine of waking up at the same time each day and setting a consistent bedtime will ensure adequate sleep. After all, sleep is just as important as diet and exercise!
Laugh Often, Laugh Daily
It’s important to find humor and enjoyment within our day. Being around others is necessary for humans, we need the connection. Maybe you aren’t able to be around friends or family right now, no worries! Hop on a zoom call, pull out some old pictures and call a friend, reminisce on the fond memories and ones yet to come! Allow yourself to relax and don’t take yourself too seriously. They say laughter is the best medicine, and we couldn’t agree more!
These are all ways that don’t just treat the symptoms of any illness, bye- bye big Pharma! These ways actually heal the root causes and serve as preventative, proactive measures. If we can change for the unhealthy demands, we can certainly change for the better way leading to a good health livin’. Although not always easy, it is possible!
Remember, we are all warriors. We are in this together, one step at a time, one healthy choice after the next. It’s choosing to fight, to supply ourselves with the proper weapons. So, strap on your armour, grab your kale (yes, I promise it is an amazing superfood) oh and probably your running shoes while you’re at it because we were made to run!
I’m ready, are you?
P.S. If you are serious about your health and about making changes to your lifestyle why not to e-mail me and find out how can i help you.
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