Hi everyone,
During our current lockdown the amount of ‘self-help’ information on offer is at the point of overload. However, ‘more’ does not necessarily mean ‘better’ and it may be hard to know which advice to follow
So, when it comes to the basics of health, what do you really need to focus on?
First and foremost, the starting point is not about pills and potions. Good health begins with the understanding that all living organisms are always in the state that that their environment or context dictates. For instance, in cold weather you shiver, which generates heat and fat burning via the initiation of brown adipose tissue. In hot weather you sweat, which cools you down and also increases your elimination of metabolic wastes via the skin. In both instances, you are the same human being, but your environment has influenced you to behave in a different way.
Being clear on your ability to affect both your internal and external settings is truly empowering. However, being clear on what you need to influence is the key to your results.
For those of you who have been to our clinic, you will at some point been exposed to our S.M.I.L.E. questionnaire. It was developed to bring attention to the key pillars of health and help to assess which of these require focus.
The name is an acronym for Sunlight & Fresh Air, Mental Acuity, Ingestion, Love & Fulfillment and Exercise & Relaxation and there is never a situation when focusing on improving these pillars will deliver a negative outcome. THEIR ENHANCEMENT ALWAYS GUARATEES IMPROVED HEALTH!
So my simple challenge to you is to ask yourself the following questions and if your answer to any of them is ‘NO’, make their correction your number one focus.
- Do you spend an hour outside in nature each day?
- Are you trying to learn something new or improve a skill each day?
- Would you have 3 different coloured vegetables at 2 meals per day?
- Do you stop and reflect on what you should be grateful for each day?
- Do you accrue 10,000 steps every day?
- Do you create the space to have 8 hours of sleep each night?
I believe that health improvement occurs when awareness and a willingness to act combine.
I look forward to breaking down the pillars of S.M.I.L.E. with you over the coming weeks. And I hope that this will inspire you to make change where it is applicable.
As always, I am here to support you in your health journey and answer any questions you have!
If you want to learn more about the pillars of health, read my next piece in the series here:
‘S’ in SMILE: A Pillar of Health is Sunshine
