Essentials for Good Health

There are certain natural laws to follow if we are to maintain our good health. Here are some "Essentials for Health":
1. What you eat:
It is important to eat for that is as close to its natural state as possible. This doesn’t necessarily mean raw, but whole, natural foods with a minimum of preservatives and other additives. Work toward having your diet consist of at least 70% fruits and vegetables. The rest should be whole grains, nuts, seeds, legumes/beans, and lean meats. Snack on fruit and nuts or chopped veggies.
2. What you drink:

When our diets are low in high-water content fruits and vegetables, we need more water. Drink about 2/3 ounce of water per pound of body weight. For most of us, that’s close to a gallon of pure, filtered water daily! Besides water, fresh-squeezed juice and herb teas are good. Mineral water is good and the bubbly kind is a treat. Keep caffeine to a minimum. I won’t even talk about soda.

3. How you sleep:

7-8 hours of sleep is important for nerve and body rest and rejuvenation. Get a pillow that supports your neck alignment.

4. How you exercise:

4-5 days per week is good. Try to do a combo of cardio, stretching and resistance training for at least 30 minutes.

5. What and how you breathe:

No need to mention smoking. Get outside everyday for fresh air. Do deep breathing exercises to improve lymphatic flow and increase lung capacity.

6. What you think:

This is probably more important than all the others combined. How we consistently talk to ourselves is vital to long term health and success. (Proverbs 23:7)

7. Sense of Purpose:

People who have goals and a sense of higher purpose tend to be healthier. Their focus is not as much on their own problems, but on helping others which activates all sorts of positive chemicals and neurotransmitters that activate health and healing.

In my experience of almost 30 years in the natural health profession, #s 6 and 7 are probably the most overlooked and possibly the most important!