10 RULES FOR A LIFETIME OF GREAT HEALTH
1. WATCH WHAT YOU ARE EATING
Yes, it is true: You are what you eat! Food isn’t just the fuel that keeps us going for the day; it becomes a part of us and influences our immune system, nervous system, digestive system, skin, blood chemistry, and every organ. Ideally, we should be eating the way cavemen did – mostly fresh fruits and vegetables (organic was the only option back then!). Avoid processed foods as much as you can. Since most of us don’t eat perfectly all the time, it is recommended to do a supervised cleanse 1-4 times per year.
If you are having a hard time understanding what’s good and what’s bad, take a crash course in reading food labels. At Denaro Chiropractic, we know how big of a role nutrition plays in health and recovery, so we are happy to incorporate classes and nutritional advice.
2. MOVEMENT IS LIFE
Stop reading this! Stand Up! Move your body! We have become such a sedentary culture, which is one of the major causes for so many health conditions. Move each of your joints (ankles to neck) through their full range of motion every day. If you want to start with lighter intensity activites, good options are walking, swimming, beginner’s yoga, and using a stationary bicycle. If you are ready for more action, go for a hike, check out a zumba or kickboxing class, join a racquetball league, etc. The options are endless!
3. NATURE NEEDS NO HELP…JUST NO INTERFERENCE
Your body is able to heal itself. You don’t take a pill for a paper cut to heal, so why do people take pills for everything else? Our body’s healing processes get blocked from physical stress (like injuries, poor posture, or repetitive motions), mental stress (relationships, responsibilities, work, etc.), and chemical stress (alcohol, medications, pollution, artificial sweeteners, etc.). All of these things put physical pressure on our nerves by altering the alignment of the spine. Chiropractic care is vital to living a healthy life, since every bodily function and every human experience we have is processed through our nerves. If you have ever experienced physical, mental, or chemical stress in your lifetime, then you should find yourself a chiropractor and have your spine checked! Then and only then, will your body have the full power it needs to heal itself from the inside out.
4. BE MINDFUL
If you think this sounds “hippie-ish”, then you may be missing out on a healthy body and some amazing moments. Some people become mindful through sitting down and meditating, while others may find it through nature, painting, dancing, or jogging. Mindfulness boosts our health by taking us out of that stressful “fight-or-flight” mode (which is only beneficial if we are fighting or fleeing!). Being mindful throughout the day brings down blood pressure and can even alter gene expression. For more information, follow this link to an article from Bill George, Harvard professor.
5. LAUGH EVERY DAY
Even if you have to receive a daily joke in your inbox, watch an episode of Seinfeld, or simply start laughing for no reason in the privacy of your bedroom, laughter is a proven medication! They have even done scientific studies on laughter’s heart health benefits. Read about the study here.
6. PRACTICE SELF-CARE
For some people, this may be the most difficult one to master. Taking time for yourself is not only important for your own health, but also for the people around you (who you usually spend all your time catering to). You will notice a positive difference in yourself and the way you handle your responsibilities. There is a great book by a Massachusetts native, Cheryl Richardson, called The Art of Extreme Self-Care and you can find it on Amazon.com. Self care is more than just doing good things for YOU once a month. You must make self care a regular practice – Doctor’s orders!
7. TURN OFF THE NEWS
There’s a difference between knowing what’s going on the world and being continuously reminded that there are tragedies happening everywhere. Be educated but don’t be surrounded by “CNN” (constantly negative news). Studies show that people are more anxious, sadder, and worrisome after watching the news. Replace your news-watching routine with listening to music, going for a walk, or keeping a journal. If you only watch it for the weather or sports, just look it up online. You will be surprised how much time you have once you turn off the television.
8. SWEAT EVERY DAY
Sweating is not only an indication of healthy physical work, but it is also an important way that our bodies cleanse, naturally. Sweating allows toxins, chemicals, and waste to leave the body. If you are going to attempt to eat like a caveman (in Rule #1), then move like one too! They were active people because that they had to move to survive. The human species has not changed much since then – every human still needs to move and sweat every day!
9. HYDRATE WITH PURE WATER
Whether you are sweating everyday or not, adequate daily hydration is necessary. Sure, there is some water content in coffee, tea, flavored waters, soda, and alcohol, but you must drink plain, pure water. The caffeine in many of the beverages act as a diuretic. This means that even though you are ingesting some water, you will be losing more through increased urination.
10. BE EDUCATED ABOUT YOUR BODY
Here’s a pop quiz! What do you know more about?
- Your pet’s health
- How your car runs
- How a computer works
- How your body functions and heals
If you can’t answer #4 with confidence, it’s time you spend a little more time learning about YOU! You only get this body once, so it’s a good idea to take care of it the right way. Just because you go for your yearly physical doesn’t mean you take good care of your health. The point is not to wait for a crisis situation. You have to maintain your good health by following these 10 rules. If and when a crisis situation does occur, don’t be scared into surrendering to medications or surgery. There are so many natural options for restoring yourself to good health. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Abbey Denaro to get you on the right path and help you incorporate these 10 rules into your life.