Wellness
By Ann Christine Johnson
Researchers tell us that we think between 60,000 and 80,000 thoughts per day. We make plans for the future; we rehash and reassess the past; we make ‘to-do’ lists for each and every day; we race to meet deadlines and honour commitments; we try to figure out technology instead of getting help; we agonize about decisions we need to make; we think about what we “should” have said or not said, especially if we were unable to speak our truth. The outcome of this is that we waste valuable energy, which is the first step in diminishing our health.
Being well is more than keeping yourself illness-free. It’s more than simply alleviating any symptoms of disease within the body. It’s the ability to move beyond the point of being illness-free to having optimum levels of good health. The aim of the medical model is to take us away from the direction of premature death towards a neutral point of being disease-free; whereas the wellness model challenges and enables us to move beyond a neutral point towards the direction of optimal health. There are many degrees of illness and many treatments that can be used to deal with diseases that show up in the body; so too there are many degrees of wellness and many ways to achieve optimum levels of good health. Wellness is not a static state. Our level of wellness is changing all the time. By taking responsibility for the state of our physical health we can improve the level of our wellness considerably.
Many people today say they want to be well, but are often unwilling to put in the effort required to achieve this. Other people are willing to put in some effort, but very quickly get tired of the diligence required to get the results they seek. Others look for quick-fix solutions to their health problems and quickly fall back into old lifestyle patterns once the initial enthusiasm fades. Achieving optimal levels of good health takes time, persistence and energy. Maintaining them is an ongoing process.
In order to build health and vitality you need to eat healthy meals and snacks at regular intervals throughout each day. If you find yourself losing interest in food try eating small amounts of food that you can tolerate; if you find yourself wanting to eat for emotional (not physical) reasons explore the underlying causes for this, perhaps with the help of a health care professional. You need to steer clear of nicotine and other addictive substances; to limit your intake of alcohol and caffeine. While three or four cups of black tea per day can reduce the chances of heart attack, help prevent cell damage, protect against tooth plaque and tooth decay, aid in bone strengthening; three or four cups of green tea per day may boost your metabolism to aid in weight loss, protect bones, fight bad breath, improve skin and delay the onset of diabetes.
Excessive amounts of caffeine and alcohol can make you feel stressed and interfere with sleep patterns, leading to fatigue and irritability the next day.
You need to avoid sugar-laden foods as sugar gives a quick energy boost followed by a quick drop in energy; to avoid excessive salt and get in the habit of drinking six glasses of water per day. Water is used to transport waste out of the body; and sweat, which is mainly water, helps the body regulate its temperature. You lose more than a litre of fluid every day. This needs to be replaced if you wish to keep your energy levels high and remain well. Although the food and drinks you consume each day replace some of this fluid, drinking clean water is essential and remains the best way to hydrate the body.
Include rest, relaxation and fun in your life. If you work every waking moment you’re likely to become irritable and rundown. When working on long projects take a short break every hour or so as this will allow you to achieve far more than if you work straight through. Take a power nap (20 minutes will suffice) if you need to as this will reverse the mind numbing effect of information overload. Walk in the fresh air whenever you can as this will boost your energy levels. Have a massage or spa from time to time as this will help you to unwind and sleep better at night. Take on the tasks of each day systematically. By prioritising you will have plenty of time to accomplish all that’s important to you.
Most adults do not get enough sleep. Getting at least 8 hours sleep per night will help you to avoid fatigue, mood-swings, depression and other health problems. While most of us go through periods in our life during which getting to sleep or staying asleep is difficult for us, if we allow this to persist we are likely to end up exhausted and rundown. We can lose sleep for short periods of time without suffering obvious harm, but adequate sleep each night in the long run is necessary for physical and mental health. A word of advice: If you’re having ongoing sleep difficulties, you should visit your GP to work out the underlying causes of this and to learn ways to establish a regular sleep pattern.
Have regular physical examinations and tests to prevent, or at least detect at an early stage, any major health issues. Use the treatment model – medication; surgery; homeopathic remedies; psychotherapy – to deal with any disease within the body; and at the same time use the wellness model – good nutrition; exercise; plenty of rest, sleep and fresh air; a clean environment; positive thinking; creative visualisation; breathing exercises; physical relaxation techniques; yoga and Pilates; meditation; spiritual healing – to build solid health. The strength of good health will give you a natural resistance to illness and disease.
Aim to accumulate one hour of incidental and planned physical activity each day. The more time and effort you do put into these pursuits the greater the potential benefits to you. When we engage in physical activity that’s appropriate for our age, shape and general health, we become more aware of our bodies and less aware of the stresses in our day. Physical activity can be a very effective way to absorb our attention. It’s usually possible no matter where we are or how little time we have to spare. It can be worked into our routine so it’s always a part of our daily life. It can be done alone or with others and need not cost anything. It’s an effective method of controlling stress.
Keeping active will help to burn fat, to strengthen the heart, to lower cholesterol and blood pressure, to increase lung capacity, to regulate blood sugar, to slow the ageing process and promote health by improving bone strength, muscle mass and flexibility. It will help to increase immune functioning and reduce the risk of hypertension, stroke, depression, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity and premature death from disease. It will release endorphins into the body producing a feeling of wellbeing.
Illness and physical pain is simply an extension of negative emotion. Negative thoughts and negative emotions; and excessive or prolonged stress, degrade the body. The immune system is designed to heal itself. Affirmative thoughts and positive emotions can assist in this process. Thoughts and feelings keep reassembling the body. They can create health or dis-ease in the body, so choose your thoughts and emotions prudently. Chronic worry comes from obsessing about things which may not happen.
Worry is a habit which tends to produce high levels of anxiety and tension that can have an adverse effect on your health. We become what we think about, so if you’re feeling tired and rundown, if you have an acute, chronic or terminal medical condition, if you’re feeling miserable, defeated or depressed, see if you can identify the thought patterns, emotions and behaviours that may be impeding your recovery. Then gradually replace them with health-restoring ones.
You are the sum total of your thoughts. You can injure yourself by the thoughts you entertain. It takes time and effort to reprogram thoughts and behaviour so be patient with yourself and know that you have the ability to guide your thoughts and words in positive ways. Every time you think a negative thought; and every time you say something that is negative, toxins are released into the body that can affect it adversely. By carefully selecting the words that you use each day; by choosing to let go of negative thoughts as soon as they surface; by choosing the direction of your thoughts, you can be in constant connection with God – Source Energy of radiant health, vitality and wellbeing.
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About the Author
Ann C. Johnson Assoc MAPS: General Psychologist has worked in the helping professions for the past 35 years. In the past 7 years she has published 3 books on personal and spiritual development. Inspired by post she reads on Facebook and events happening in her own life she continues to write articles on a regular basis.
Ann can also be found on: https://www.facebook.com/annjohnson1948
