Last week in The Seven Essentials (Part 1), I discussed the first four essentials to living a more balanced, healthy, and vibrant life. Here’s a quick review for you: Nutrition, Exercise, Water, and Sleep. These are the typical elements that any health professional will tell you to focus on if you want to be a healthier version of yourself. I believe, however, that there are three more that are often neglected and must be taken into account for you to reach your optimum health. If you want to experience total health for your total being then you must include these three as part of your daily routine!
Supplements
Just as the name implies, supplements are to supplement our diet. There is no substitute for getting our nutrients from real food. Unfortunately with the food sources that we have today, it is not always possible to get all the necessary nutrients that our bodies require. Sometimes nutritional supplements can be essential for living a healthier life. There are a multitude of supplements on the market today. My recommendation is that you choose wisely since numerous studies have shown lately many of the supplements sold today are not all that they claim to be. Personally I consume and recommend using only natural food source supplements when they are available. Most supplements in stores today are not food sourced. They are chemically synthesized and contain a variety of potentially harmful ingredients, hence why I said choose wisely. If you are not sure what to choose, then consult with a trusted knowledgeable Health professional that is well trained in the use of natural health supplements.
Soul
I believe that the health of our soul is the essential to living that healthy balanced life that we all desire to live. The human soul consists of the mind, the will, our emotions, thoughts, and consciousness. The Scriptures tell us in Proverbs 4:23 to guard your soul above all else for it determines the course of your life. So many of the people that I consult with and coach are physically sick because they are soul sick. For overall optimal health we must strive to keep our minds and our emotions healthy. Here are some of my recommendations for guarding your soul. Be careful what you choose to fill your mind with. Be quick to forgive, as unforgiveness harbored in your soul can physically and mentally destroy you. If you are being overcome with feelings of depression, then go to one of your local charity organizations, churches, nursing homes, or hospitals and volunteer to help someone in need.
Spirit
When it comes to thinking about the essentials to healthy living, most people probably give very little thought to the health of their spirit. I believe that we have a body, a soul, and spirit. We are three part beings and for optimal health we must take care of the spirit man as well as we do our bodies and our souls. Many health professionals, theologians, and researchers believe that we need to put much more emphasis on the spirit man when it comes to leaving a more balanced, healthy, and vibrant life. I believe it is through a healthy spirit that we have the power to overcome the weaknesses that can destroy our bodies and souls. So what can we do for the health of our spirit man? Whether you believe in God or a higher power or not, recent research has provided some very convincing evidence of what having a healthy spiritual life can do for our overall health. The Holy Scriptures actually tell us that we are to pray and medi- tate regularly. It is my recommendation that you learn more about prayer and meditation and incorporate them into your daily life. More and more studies are showing that prayer and meditation can improve our health as well as promote healing in our bodies and souls.
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