For The Health Of It…
Many of us are stressed, overworked and have unhealthy habits. Many suffer from disease,obesity, chronic pain, depression, anxiety, and addictions which are negatively affecting our health. At the same time, others are living longer and are aspiring to improve their balance ofbody, mind, and spirit in their quest for optimal health.
There are many aspects of health including physical, emotional, social, mental and spiritual components. Adapting a holistic approach to health and wellness improves our healing outcomes. Our beliefs, attitudes, and values can positively or negatively influence our health.Qualities like hope, love, faith, and forgiveness as well as the use of meditation and prayer can have a noticeable effect on health and healing. Spiritual practices tend to improve coping skills and foster feelings of optimism and hope. They promote healthy behavior and reduce feelings of depression and anxiety while they encourage a sense of well being and relaxation. Research has proven that connection to spirit can positively influence our immune, cardiovascular,hormonal, and nervous systems. Studies also reveal that people with strong spiritual beliefs heal faster from surgery, have less emotional health issues, have improved blood pressure and respond better to chronic illnesses such as arthritis, diabetes, cancer, heart disease and spinal cord injuries.
Spirituality has been defined in many different ways, including a belief in a power operating in the universe that is greater than oneself, a sense of interconnectedness with all living creatures,and an awareness of the purpose and meaning of life. It is the way we find meaning, hope,comfort, and inner peace. A strong foundation for a healthy and happy life is created when were place fear with love, think positive, treat others with respect, and have a sense of humor.
People who feel emotionally trapped inside their life circumstances, need to be filled with hope and encouraging energy so they can perceive their glass as half full, instead of half empty.Paraphrasing the words of William Thackery, "Life is like a mirror. If we look in the mirror with love and a smile, good things can happen. If, however, we look into the mirror with fear and despair, those will be returned to us", as we live in a reciprocal universe.
It is also important to remember the power of silence that is experienced when we connect to our inner self. The answers to our questions are usually discovered when we turn off our wandering minds and go within. Soothing music, essential oils, breath work, crystals, energy work, massage, yoga, and affirmations can aide us in our quest for a healthy lifestyle.
I think it is interesting that most of us take more preventative action with our cars than we do our own bodies. We rotate our tires, change our oil, top off our fluids, check our belts, monitor the air pressure in our tires and change our air filters on a regular basis. However, we typically don't pay attention to our bodies until we get sick, are diagnosed with a disease or get hurt. Simply put, remember the old saying, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure."
