It’s the new year – we tell ourselves it is time to follow through with our resolutions, weight loss being the most popular desire of all. However I encourage a different frame of thinking. We should be shifting our focus to the way we interact with ourselves, and change the way we view “Healthy” because it is not just about weight loss but instead having more clarity and control regarding our individual well being.
Consider how you define health? Is health the absence of disease? The World Health Organization defines health as “A state of complete Physical, Mental and Social well-being.” In Ancient times, health was defined as the balance between a person’s environment, a healthy body and mind, as well as unity between Mind, Body, and Soul- this balance allows one to express a full range of one’s “unique” potential.
Now ask yourself how you can begin to personalize your healthcare and align with one of these definitions of health? My advice is to to increase awareness of the following:
let food be thy medicine
Consume a healthy balance of fresh whole foods, including more vegetables, moderate fruits, balanced whole grains, legumes, and fresh animal proteins – your main sources of fuel for the body are your macronutrients; Carbohydrates, Fats, and Proteins. To put it simply, avoid processed, genetically modified, preservative filled, and high sugar foods.
Manage stress
Meditation is the key to calming your nervous system, healing old wounds, and building resilience to life’s inevitable stresses. You are capable of cultivating optimism, your brain has a superpower called neuroplasticity, this means you can rewire it and change your life at any time using tools like meditation. Managing stress helps your immune system, anxiety, and chronic diseases like diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.
sleep
Prioritize regular and restful sleep of at least 6-8 hours. Inadequate sleep disrupts your body’s innate ability to balance itself, it weakens your immune system, affects your hormones, and causes chronic fatigue.
exercise / movement
Humans are not supposed to be sedentary beings. Our blood needs oxygen and our muscles need blood, so set some goals to move your body! Physical balance improves flexibility, maintains weight, and optimizes cardiovascular health. Exercise is also beneficial for the mind, it promotes emotional well-being, calms anxiety, and reduces overall stress levels.