The greatest wealth is health. ~Virgil
A Theory.
Everyone is composed of a cluster of spheres. Mind, Body, Spirit, Public, Family, Occupation and each of these has sub-spheres.
Mind – Education, Philosophy etc
Body- Nutrition, Health, Fitness etc
Spirit – Religion, Philosophy etc
Public- Friends, Coworkers, Strangers, Acquaintances etc
Family – Blood, Marriage, Friends etc
Occupation – Hobbies, Work etc
All of these spheres are important. They move in concert with one another each taking priority in turn depending on the circumstances.
Body – Nutrition, Health, Fitness
Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity. ~World Health Organization, 1948
The body is the vessel rocketing people through life. Some people unfortunately aren’t rocketing and are sliming along. When the topic of health comes up people typically think of two things: 1) some horrible, terminal illness or 2) an amazingly healthy person accomplishing amazing things i.e.: Lance Armstrong, Usain Bolt or someone who’s done some fantastic feat of strength or endurance.
Health is the ability to be well mentally, emotionally and physically.
FamilyDoctor.Org published this list of healthy tips: ( – Some are for women only – )
Do my habits really affect my health?
Yes, very much so. All of the major causes of death (such as cancer,
heart disease, stroke, lung disease and injury) can be prevented in part by making healthy lifestyle choices.
Don’t smoke or use tobacco.
Smoking and using tobacco are very dangerous habits. Smoking causes 440,000 deaths in the
United States every year. More preventable illnesses (such as emphysema, mouth, throat and lung cancer, and heart disease) are caused by tobacco use than by anything else. The sooner
you quit, the better.
Limit how much alcohol you drink.
This means no more than 2 drinks a day for men and 1 drink a day for women. One drink is equal to 1 can of beer (12 ounces), a 4-ounce glass of wine or a jigger (1 ounce) of liquor.
Too much alcohol can damage the liver and contribute to some cancers, such as throat cancer and liver cancer. Alcohol also contributes to deaths from car wrecks, murders and suicides.
Eat healthy.
A healthy diet has many benefits. Heart disease, certain cancers, stroke, diabetes and damage to your arteries can be linked to what you eat. By making
healthier food choices, you can also lower your cholesterol and lose weight.
Many Americans are overweight. Carrying too much weight increases your risk for high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, gallbladder disease and arthritis in the weight-bearing joints (such as the spine, hips or knees). A
high-fiber,
low-fat diet and
regular exercise can help you lose weight and keep it off.
Exercise.
Exercise can help prevent heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, osteoporosis and depression. It can also help prevent colon cancer, stroke and back injury. You’ll feel better and keep your weight under control if you exercise regularly. Try to exercise for 30 to 60 minutes, 4 to 6 times a week, but remember that any amount of exercise is better than none.
Don’t sunbathe or use tanning booths.
Sun exposure is linked to skin cancer, which is the most common type of cancer in the United States. It’s best to limit sun exposure and wear protective clothing and hats when you are outside. Sunscreen is also very important. It protects your skin and will help prevent skin cancer. Make sure you use sunscreen year-round on exposed skin (such as your face and hands). Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 15 and one that blocks both UVA and UVB light.
Practice safe sex.
The safest sex is between 2 people who are only having sex with each other and who don’t have a sexually transmitted infection (STI) or share needles to inject drugs.
Use latex condoms and a spermicide (a product that kills sperm) gel or cream. Talk with your doctor about being tested for STIs.
Keep your shots up to date.
Adults need a tetanus-diphtheria booster every 10 years. Your doctor may substitute one Td booster with Tdap, which also protects you against pertussis (whooping cough). You should also get a flu shot each year. Ask your doctor if you need other shots or vaccines.
Check your breasts.
Breast cancer is the second most common cause of death for women. Have your doctor check your breasts every 1 to 2 years until you are 40 years of age. After age 40, you should have a yearly clinical exam and mammogram.
Get regular Pap smears.
Cancer of the cervix in women can be detected by regular Pap smears. You should have your first Pap smear within 3 years of when you start having sex, or by age 21, whichever comes first.You should have a Pap smear at least once every 3 years, unless your doctor suggests that you need one more often. Keep having Pap smears throughout your life, even after menopause, until you reach age 65 or have a hysterectomy.
Ask your doctor about other cancer screenings.
Adults over 50 years of age should ask their doctor about being checked for colorectal cancer. Men 50 years of age or older should discuss with their doctor the risks and benefits of being screened for prostate cancer.
Should I have a yearly physical?
Health screenings are replacing the yearly physical. Instead of every person getting the same exams and tests, only the appropriate ones are given. Talk to your family doctor about your risk factors and what tests and exams are right for you.
Having a healthy body will facilitate having a healthy mind. An overweight person is forcing their body to produce more and more blood vessels to pump blood to their growing extremities. Over time this will tax their heart and in turn limit the efficiency of circulation to their brain. A brain without oxygen/blood is not a healthy brain. In this case the physical breakdown of the brain is going to be detrimental to the mind as well.
Living an active life will maintain and if needed: create a healthy life.
Work Out
Again from familydoctor.org.
To kickstart a stagnant lifestyle here are some guidelines to starting an exercise routine:
Exercises that increase your heart rate and move large muscles (such as the muscles in your legs and arms) are best. Choose an activity that you enjoy and that you can start slowly and increase gradually as you become used to it. Walking is very popular and does not require special equipment. Other good exercises include swimming, biking, jogging and dancing. Taking the stairs instead of the elevator or walking instead of driving may also be a good way to start being more active.
Implement that advice – this often:
Start off exercising 3 or more times a week for 20 minutes or more, and work up to at least 30 minutes, 4 to 6 times a week. This can include several short bouts of activity in a day. Exercising during a lunch break or on your way to do errands may help you add physical activity to a busy schedule. Exercising with a friend or a family member can help make it fun, and having a partner to encourage you can help you stick to it.
A downfall of todays INSTANT society is that weight loss and healthy living isn’t as instant as sending a text message or pulling up a website. It’s a lifestyle change. Healthy living is a good thing to incorporate into daily life because it forces people to slow down. Lift some weights. Do some pullups. Go for a jog. It isn’t necessary to become a world-champion body builder or Tour De France winner. Just be active. Get that heart rate up. Be healthy.
**DISCLAIMER**
I don’t say this enough but, I’m here if any of my readership is looking for clarification or more information. That being said, I have some pretty good workout routines if any of you are looking to mix up your work outs. As always – Thanks for reading.
**DISCLAIMER**