Last week was the final week for the Essential Fitness. Time is marching on and our next Essential will be Focus. I wish you could have all been with us. These focused essentials are so much more in-depth and informative!
This week’s article is long, so I will keep my commentary short. Dr. Hyman, once again, is stressing ALL the aspects of wellness, not just food. Once again, I want to stress The Daniel Plan is NOT a diet. It is a wellness lifestyle. Diets do not work, lifestyle changes do. It is only when you merge all the healthy aspects, that real change occurs.
Here’s to a healthier you!
Pray Unceasingly!!
In His light,
Lois
7 Ways to Take Charge of Your Health
Dr. Mark Hyman
Wellness is more than just eating right and exercising; it’s also much more than just feeling “okay.”
Feeling well means feeling whole, balanced, vibrant, and alive. And there are many moving pieces that we can tap into to feel empowered in our own wellness journey. The key focus areas that I always recommend my patients pay attention to are community, emotional health, relationships, nutrition, movement, purpose, and mindset. Within these areas, we can have a dramatic influence on our immediate and future health.
There is so much you can do to help yourself to prevent, treat, and heal dis-ease no matter what situation you’re in. You have the power to change your health and these areas are where it all begins.
Community
I often see patients who feel they are doing everything right. They are eating
nutrient-dense foods, getting adequate sleep, going to the gym…but they just
don’t feel good. When I ask about their community and social connections
they’re often surprised. But when we dig in and get to the real
truth—loneliness, social isolation, and a lack of feeling that they belong—it
becomes painfully clear that this is the missing link. And science shows us
that a sense of community is correlated to longer, healthier, and happier
lives. Volunteering, joining a class, and prioritizing time with loved ones are
all ways to strengthen your social bonds and support your health in the
process. Get involved in things you care about and your community connections
will naturally fall into place.
Emotional Health
Our emotional health impacts our physical health, there is no way around it.
I’ve overcome some of my own emotional barriers in the past; traumas and toxic
beliefs are scary to unpack but when you do you give yourself freedom and the
opportunity for dynamic growth. Work with a coach, speak up for yourself, let
your feelings out. Deciding to focus on your emotional health as much as your
physical health will have big payoffs for your wellness and happiness
throughout life.
Relationships
Just as community is essential to our wellbeing, so are our individual
relationships. Do the people in your life lift you up, inspire you, give you
joy? Or do they pull you down, cause stress, and create conflict? The
relationships we experience have a cumulative effect, impacting both short- and
long-term health. Recognizing and releasing a toxic relationship can be as
powerful for our health as eliminating an environmental toxin. Spend time and
energy supporting the relationships you do have and don’t be afraid to
cultivate a new friendship with someone you’re interested in getting to know
better, chances are they could use a new friend too.
Nutrition
I’m always talking about the power of food, and for good reason! What we fuel
our body with affects everything—energy levels, weight, immune system,
hormones, all of it. And though the nutritional landscape can get confusing
with all of the diet wars (Vegan? Keto? Low-carb?) there is one major thing
that all experts agree on: eat plenty of colorful vegetables. Think about
eating the rainbow each and every day and you’ll be on the right path. Then,
incorporate clean high-quality protein sources that suit your morals, like
grass-fed beef or organic gluten-free tempeh, along with plenty of healthy fats
like avocados, walnuts, olive oil, and coconut. A few simple dietary tweaks can
make a world of difference in how you feel.
Movement
Exercise is called a polypill because it does so much to benefit the entire
body. Cardiovascular health, mood, metabolism, bone strength, the list goes on
and on. But you don’t have to go to the gym to move your body. Find an activity
you like, something that is fun, and make it part of your wellness routine.
Even a walk outside can work wonders. I love to get together with a friend and
play tennis or go to a yoga class; not only do we both feel good getting the
physical activity we also support and encourage each other to make it a regular
habit.
Purpose
Research shows having a sense of purpose actually relates to living a longer,
happier life. When we feel we are sharing our unique gifts with others we feel
useful, appreciated, validated, and meaningful. Think about what you feel you
are best at, what you enjoy the most, and how you can put those things together
to participate in a cause that matters to you.
Mindset
Our mindset is what brings it all together. We have to get in the right
headspace to help ourselves stay healthy and reach our goals. Your mindset is
your collection of attitudes—how you respond to challenges, express gratitude,
manage your time, and take care of yourself are just some of the parts of your
life that you can assess to get a better understanding of your mindset. Studies
show that those with a “stress-is-enhancing” mindset, as opposed to a
“stress-is-debilitating” mindset, had fewer psychological stress responses like
anxiety, depression, and anger. So take some time to shift your perspective
into a more positive light and your entire body will reap the benefits.
You can nourish yourself and cultivate lasting wellness using these key principles. I’ve personally experienced the powerful shifts that are possible using a holistic, functional approach that supports the body, mind, and spirit; take your first step today.