LIFESTYLE

Health and vitality don't diminish overnight, it takes time and an accumulation of bad habits to manifest into disease. Sometimes we are completely unaware of the factors contributing to our lack lustre. Often we are just completely in auto pilot, allowing the pressures of life to dictate bad habits. At other times we are aware our habits are not nourishing our wellbeing, yet we don't have the strength of resolution to make a change.

Think of the foods and habits you are addicted to; coffee, black tea, alcohol,sugar, chocolate, stress. Yes I meant to say stress. some people thrive on adrenaline, that is until their system shuts down and they get adrenal fatigue, chronic fatigue and other associated problems.

Other habits are harder to pin point, like imbalanced relationships with loved ones that cause ongoing stress. Taking time out to reflect, replenish the sources of energy that are depleting you can go a long way in restoring your health. It's not just about how you eat and how much exercise you get (of course these things are important) but wholistic health is also about making some hard decisions, setting boundaries in your worklife or homelife that give you the space you need to nourish and grow. These things can if need be be discussed with your practitioner as it can help to have a sounding board. Having the opportunity to reflect on all the factors that may affect your well being will give you the help and inspiration to make your lifestyle changes.

The Ancient Chinese Classic Huang Di Nei Jing (475- 221BC) states- " In the past, people practised the Tao, the Way of Life. They understood the principles of balance, of yin and yang. Thus they formulated practices such as Dao yin, an exercise combining stretching, massaging, and breathing to promote energy flow, and meditation to help maintain and harmonise themselves with the universe. They ate a balanced diet at regular times, arose and retired at regular hours, avoided over stressing their bodies and minds, and refrained from overindulgence of all kinds. They maintained well- being of body and mind; thus, it is not surprising that they lived over one hundred years.
M.Ni 1995 The Yellow Emperor's Classic of Medicine; Shambala.

Please note that none of the information provided herein is intended as prescriptive advice and the material is informative only. Please discuss health and life style changes with your health practitioner to ensure that it is suitable for you. Remember that everyone's situation is slightly different and changes may need to be adapted to suit the individual's specific requirements.

 

BASIC STRATEGIES

Some basic strategies
Cut down on caffeine
Try herbal tea instead
Drink water when thirsty
Cut out sugar
Take beneficial probiotics and eat natural healthy ones such as raw fermented sauerkraut, kefir.
Eat fibrous vegetables and increase prebiotics; leek, onion, artichoke, asparagus. Note caution if you can't digest FODMAPS. See your practitioner for a proper health plan.

Try meditation, tai qi or yoga.
Practise gratitude
Make time for creative pursuits, or learn something new to stimulate your brain.

DIET

Eat good fats. Don't be afraid to incorporate fats into your diet. Avocado, olive oil, coconut oil, fish oil, grass fed butter and animal fat from ethically raised animals. Our collective fat phobia has led to high carbohydrate diets, which in turn have been detrimental to health resulting in heart disease, diabetes and obesity. Lower your carbs, your body will thankyou for it, and current research is indicating that a higher fat lower carb diet can affect your genetic markers switching off genes responsible for disease.

Responsive & Interactive

Learn to Meditate
The benefits of meditation are being widely recognised by science. ?For those of us who didn't need science but already have felt subjectively the benefits of daily practise can also attest to the physiological feeling of well being that can arise from learning the practice of awareness. ?From mindful lives that can move into everything you do and literally change the brain chemistry, why wouldn't you try it ?

Wider Scope

Mindful Body Practice
For those of you who can't sit still, that is for now until you have managed to calm your system, try other mindful activities. ?Go for a walk, try to just be present with where you are, notice your feet, how you walk, how the weight falls through your feet. ?Notice your breath and take in what is directly around you. ?Breathe.

YOGA

You might like to try a yoga class. Yoga is an ancient practice which means unity. Awareness, breath, stance, coordination, the physical body and spirit are all merged in this ancient practise. It is really meditation in movement.

Tai qi, Dao yin , Qi Gong

Tai qi, Dao yin and Qi gong are all ancient Chinese Yoga practices. ?They vary in style but mostly they work on unblocking the meridians, and then strengthening the energy in certain areas of the body that are deemed to be "qi" or energy centres. ?Here as in Yoga, body mind and spirit (or consciousness) come together. ?As in yoga there is also an emphasis on the breath as a way of regulating consciousness, and or controlling the nervous system. ?Tai qi is generally less strenuous than yoga but of course it really depends on the style and type of teacher. ?One good reason for practising Tai qi or Yoga is the reduction in stress and hence cortisol in the body which can lead to inflammation.