“To Optimum Health and Well-being“

To Optimum Health and Well Being by Sharon deRyckIn January I made a promise to myself that 2017 was going to be the year that I pay extra close attention to keeping healthy in Body, Mind and Spirit and loving every minute of it.   Not that I was lax in years gone by, it is just that I am more focused and aware of my body and its capabilities in a more heighten sense now.  Last March as most of you know I broke my ankle while on holiday and was laid up for over 9 months graduating from heavy supportive casts to finally no cast at all.  I learnt a lot about injuries and how in a split second one can go from fully mobile to immobility.  It was a learning experience. Injuries, slips and falls are not the domain of one age group as some medical professionals would have us believe. Accidents/injuries happen to everyone from the baby in the stroller, the young girl with two broken wrists from rollerblading and all the age groups I encountered at therapy each week.

Not being able to walk in the forest near my home or attend my Zumba dance or yoga classes for an entire year made me realize how precious all those activities are to my daily routine and the healthy lifestyle I treasured and enjoyed.  Hence, I set about making a list of healthy practices to embrace fully for not only my body; my mind and spirit also.  I joined my first Tai Chi class in January and I am enjoying the challenge of learning the various forms (not moves as I previously thought), knowing that my body mind and spirit are fully engaged in this wonderful healing exercise.

Tai Chi is just one of many things on my list geared towards a healthy body, mind and spirit, some I had been doing for years.  Here are eleven from my long list titled: “To my Optimum Health and Well-being.”

  1. Catnap.  A 20-minute power nap after lunch (when you can) is a powerful rejuvenator.  It leaves you refreshed, alert, and ready to tackle the rest of your day filled with Vim and Vigour.   Your body and mind will thank you for it.  I discovered this wonderful pick-me-upper about 10 years ago when I was working in a Clinic with an early morning start.  We had a 2- 1/2 hour lunch and I lived 8 minutes away so that helped.  For a while, I was hesitant to share that I enjoyed napping due to the stigma attached to this wonderful de-stressor.  Then I read an article in the Huffington Post on the benefits of napping! So I came out of the Catnapping closet!
  2. Treat yourself!   Get a massage, or a facial, a Reflexology or Reiki treatment, or join a dance class.  One girl told me herself and friends went to a Pole dancing class and it was a hoot.  They laughed themselves silly for the entire time.  There are so many options and only you know what would bring you joy and make your day.  It is by no means selfish wanting to do something special for you.  Self-care and self-love is an important way of filling your cup, only then do you have enough to share with those you love.
  3. Live In the Now!  It is all we truly own and have!   I still have to give myself a reminder ever so often to keep focused in the Now when I find myself somewhere else.  Life is a Journey.  Enjoy it!  Many people miss so much because all they talk about is who they were, how they were, and where they were.  The NOW does not exist for them.  That is a very unhealthy way to live life.  Honour the Past – Live in the Now!
  4. Drink lots of Alkaline Water. Your body will thank youThis is important. I try to drink an optimal amount of water, especially when I am working as I get caught up and tend to forget that my body requires water.  The physical body relies heavily on being supplied lots of clean, toxic free, alkaline water daily in order to function optimally.  I always bless my water, sending love and gratitude to the water before drinking it.  We could not survive without water.
  5. Read – Nourish your mind. With numerous wonderful books waiting to be read I promised myself to start reading – one at a time to the end.
  6. Learn Something New each day. There are countless free online seminars and webinars about every subject known to mankind.  Find one you like and learn something new.  Your mind will love you for it.  I made a note to myself that said: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions.”  People love it when you ask them a question and they have an opportunity to share their knowledge.
  7. Watch Your Self Talk. I refuse to entertain negative self-talk or self-doubt.  It is the most crippling form of negativity there is and can kill any creativity waiting to bloom.  Be positive.    The muscles in your face will thank you!
  8. Balance is the key. Indeed! This is a reminder to me to always find the balance in everything I do.  Balance is the key to a healthy, serene, creative and productive life.  The Buddha way is:  “enjoy the gift of being alive.”
  9. Drink herbal teas. I am a tea drinker and I love trying all the herbals teas available both from the Health Food Store and my own stash.  My Naturopath recommended Nettle and Comfrey recently so I am drinking more of those. However, I still make my morning favourite starter tea a couple days a week consisting of fresh Ginger root, 1 Cinnamon stick and 10 Cardamom seeds.  Sometimes I add a bag of White or Green Tea to the mixture.  Make enough so you can have a cup during the day.
  10. Take long walks in nature.  Not being able to walk without an aid for 9 months has made me so aware of how precious it is to have a functioning body and healthy limbs. Keep moving your body even if you are working 9-5 at a desk.  Get up.  Stretch and flex your muscles and do a few minutes of deep breathing exercises. I recall getting up and doing a 10 count touch my toes exercise just to limber up from my desk.  I am sure like me, you would rather “wear out”, than “rust out!”
  11. Do something nice for someone. Either someone you know or better still someone you do not know.  It is a way of being of service to the higher energies of the universe.  People who help others seem to be the happiest and healthiest.

I would welcome your sharing your ideas and what you do for your health and well-being.

To your good health!

Sharon


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