Improving yourself ..... From the Inside Out

Now that the holidays are over, many people are reflecting on the past and vowing to make better health choices in the year to come. Here are some Healthy tips to use while setting your new years resolutions in order to improve your quality of health. First, it is important to remember that this process of self-improvement must take place from the inside out. We must work on optimal health utilizing the six essentials of life. Start by asking yourself these six questions: What do you eat? What do you drink? How do you exercise and take care of your body? Do you get enough rest? What do you breathe? What do you think and how do you stress? These are simple, yet vital questions and answers to take a look at during your journey to improve your health.
What you eat? Are you taking supplements and detoxifying your body? It's true we are what we eat. Eating food is like burning wood in a stove, there are ashes left over. Those ashes are either alkaline or acidic based on the food that we have eaten. Fruits and vegetables are primarily what we need in order to alkalize the body. All meats, grains, dairy and pasta's are just a few examples of foods that are acidic and produce toxicity in the body. Utilizing the plate diet method will ensure that you are alkalizing the body. It is this simple, when you look at your plate, make sure that you have it ¾ full of fruits and/or vegetables, preferably steamed or raw, and that ¼ is that of grains and meats ect. The average American diet is reversed and therefore, produces toxicity within the body, which can lead to disease over a period of time. Even with the best diet, we have waste and it is important to detoxify our bodies and give it the essential vitamins and nutrients it needs in order to function properly. What do you drink? Ninety-nine percent of the population is water deprived and therefore, is dehydrated. One needs, at least 8-10, 8 ounce glasses of water per day. If a person were looking to lose weight, half their body weight in ounces would work best. Our bodies are around, 80% water and it filter's every system in our body and it is used to eliminate waste. If we do not replenish this water, it is like not changing the water in our fish tanks and we will get polluted and toxic.
Do you get enough rest? Are you tossing and turning in bed at night? We are called the sleepless America due to our hectic lifestyles. One should get at least 8 hours of sleep. If you're not sleeping you may want to take a look at your mattress, pillow and daily stress habits. Learn to relax before bed. Get more exercise. Start a journal of all thoughts and to do list. This will allow you to shut down your brain and prevents mind chatter.
How do you exercise and do you take care of your body? Exercise is the number one medicine for many ailments and should be performed 20-40 minutes 4-6 times per week. A combination of cardiovascular and resistance is important. This is an excellent way to reduce stress. Yoga helps to eliminate tight muscles and offers strength and balance to your postural muscles. Exercise will improve your health, your appearance, gives you strength and stamina, increase your confidence. Regular Chiropractic adjustments and therapeutic massage are a few of the numerous ways to help take care of your body.
What do you breathe? Recent studies indicate that the lungs are the most underused organs in our bodies. Most people only use the upper 1/7 - 1/3 portions of their lungs. Exercise is a great way to increase this lung capacity. Breathing exercises, also help and is an excellent way to reduce stress. Make sure to breathe good quality air and not to smoke, this will add many toxins to the body. What you think and how you stress? This is the silent killer. Our bodies were designed to under go stress and can be a normal thing. However, when we under go stress and self-sabotage for long periods of time it can be very harmful. When we get stressed out our bodies undergoes a process the same as if, we were being attacked by a dog. The heart rate increases and the digestion process slows down. Our bodies can tolerate this for a short period of time but week-after-week and year-after-year it causes dis-ease on the body, which for long periods will cause disease. It is important to reframe those thinking patterns and to learn how to let go of those negative emotions. Breathing and relaxation techniques work well for this, along with guided meditation. Read positive affirmations to overcome negative feelings. Always smile and laugh often.
Remember, in your process of self-improvement that consistency and balance is the key. Old habits won't go away over night. It is progress not perfection. Preventative measures are vital. Start by taking baby steps and every time you have a set back learn from your mistakes and that that will get you one step closer to the top. Take responsibility for your actions and know that your health is your choice. And you have within you the power to improve yourself.