What Do You Need To Do To Be Healthy?

This is a question that I ask each of my patients. It is also has an answer that is different for each person. It's all about balance.

Good health can be broken down into basic categories, and a balance is needed within and between each group for our body to work at its optimum.

1. Food. Some people choose veganism or vegitarianism while others are avid carnivores. That's fine as long as we have a balance of the different food groups needed to stay healthy. We all have food sensitivities, allergies, likes and dislikes which alter our choices, but we need to keep a balance in our diet. The same can be said of the amount of food that we eat. I love chocolate but I know too much will make me sick. Too much of a good thing becomes a bad thing. 
 
2. Water. Our bodies are 50-70% water. If we are not taking in water, then we will keep the water we have and that is not a good thing. I have many patients who tell me they do not like water. Then drink it medicinally. You CANNOT live without water and you do not get enough water in other foods to avoid problems later.

3. Exercise. We are made to move. It is essential and every part of our body needs exercise. Activity can be exercise but few activities or exercises cover everything our bodies need. We need to challenge our balance, flexibility, strength and our circulation for optimum health. I will outline my "rules" for exercise and activity in another post.

4. Rest and Stress. Good stress. Bad stress. A little bit is healthy. Too much or too long is not. We have to balance relaxation and rest with stress.

5. Manage physical and mental conditions. We all have things wrong with us. Some have arthritic conditions while some have depression. Most of us have multiple conditions that have to be managed with medications, special diets, or other precautions. The key word in dealing with conditions is Manage. Very few conditions are "cured", but if we manage the condition, then there are fewer problems associated with the illness or injury. If we don't take care of the condition, the condition could control our lives and that's not what we want.

One of the first things I recommend is to take a hard look at each of these areas and see what needs improvement. Then set priorities and small goals to create a better balance. In the water example above, I ask that the patient set a goal of 64oz per day and gradually replace a soda or coffee with water until the goal is achieved. For some, that make take a couple of weeks. Others take months to reach that goal. The time frame is not as important as the effort made to improve health. The body appreciates any efforts to help it work more efficiently.

So, what do you need to do to be healthy?