Physical Health for Real Life
Editor’s Note: Originally written in August 2022.
Our idea of physical health usually goes hand and hand with the latest diet and exercise trends or a positive checkup at the yearly primary care visit.
In truth, well-rounded physical health goes far beyond our most common concepts. Many people suffer from a variety of ailments ranging in severity, and sometimes this is happening without us noticing — or we are ignoring it.
Physical health can be improved using a combination of tools, some that may be familiar, and some that may be new to us. In order to make healthy changes, we have to actively create change — and that means learning and incorporating new tools.
Let’s jump into some aspects of optimizing your physical health.
Exercise and Play
Our society is filled with excellent marketing campaigns targeting one exercise method after another as the next cure-all. In truth, most of these exercise programs are the best solution for the person who created them.
Choosing the right exercise program for you comes down to body type, goals, and personal preferences. You will have the most successful results in a program that isn’t making you miserable and feels natural to your body.
Then, using your discernment, find a teacher or trainer to work with — or if you are familiar with exercise and body alignment, you can try online videos. The options are endless.
Going beyond a designated time for exercise and beginning to incorporate movement-based play that is fun and enjoyable is a great benefit to physical health. Try to spend time outdoors if available. Give yourself time to move your body while not thinking — things like dancing, skateboarding, rollerblading, hiking, and playing with pets and children.
You’ll be surprised to find when you make time for play, you will actually increase your energy levels.
Nutrition, Food Allergies & Hydration
Our bodies are organic materials that function best when fueled with high-quality foods.
Shop and eat organic, non-GMO foods, and choose free-range, hormone- and antibiotic-free meat, eggs, and dairy. Cook at home primarily — and when you can’t, seek out responsible food options.
There is a range of food and nutrition experts from medical to holistic, and I urge you to explore some and see what works for you on your quest to meet your goals.
Remember: the food we eat can either treat or cause dis-ease in the body.
Food allergies are very real and most people are dealing with some allergy, intolerance, and/or leaky gut. There are many ways of testing for food allergies — from standard blood work, muscle testing, and mail-in kits. Take your time reviewing what is the best option for you.
Eliminating foods causing your health to stay stuck at a less-than-optimal level should be addressed.
We can’t stop hearing how important it is to stay hydrated — and it is. Water fuels every mechanism in our bodies. Unfortunately, our drinking water — both tap and bottled — has included harmful toxins without much notice for decades.
Look into common and harmful toxins in water, reverse osmosis filters, and make an educated decision on the best quality of water you can provide for yourself, your family, and your pets.
Stay hydrated throughout your day, and begin each day with a glass of water before anything else.
Breathing
Our breath is the basis of our lives. It can be controlled consciously or subconsciously and performed both voluntarily and involuntarily.
There are many various breathing techniques to be explored in finding variations that you feel comfortable incorporating into your daily life. Mindful breathing can give you a positive reset.
Sleep
Quality sleep is a huge part of optimizing your overall physical wellness.
Creating a healthy sleeping pattern by incorporating things like:
- Limiting technology an hour prior to bed
- Removing electronics from the bedroom
- Creating a wind-down process
- Making adjustments to eating or drinking prior to bed
These can all increase the quality of sleep we receive.
If you are experiencing waking up or not breathing properly during sleep, you can seek medical help through sleep study options as well. Use the tools available.
Wisdom
“It is health that is the real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver.”
— Mahatma Gandhi
Play with These Tools
- Start your day with a glass of water, and stretch
- Identify areas of physical health you want to invest in improving
- Research new topics and healing methods
Resources: www.ewg.org
Keep moving and grooving,
Kristen