THE HEALTHY HUMAN

Are you listening to your body?

I used to believe that being healthy meant following these kinds of rules:

• Did I work out today?
• Did I eat regularly?
• Did I choose healthy foods?
• Did I meditate/relax?
• Did I get 7 hours of sleep?

And so on. I used to fill out a checklist every evening when I began learning to live a healthier lifestyle. It was very helpful.

Yet, as we all know, humans are as unique as their DNA so not all of the rules I followed worked so well for me. And some days are better than others when it comes to how we feel, even if we think we're doing everything on our checklist.

So does following a few general guidelines like this really define optimum health for everyone?

Update Beliefs.
I've come to believe that the kale that might be great for you and your body, is not good for me because I have such a hard time digesting it. Or the burger that you so love from that restaurant, can send me home with tummy aches for 2 days because of the way they prepared it. Or that afternoon piece of fruit that you so look forward to, will cause me to start craving sugar and give me the shakes because I had it without a healthy fat. So I've learned that listening to my particularly needs, and not just following the latest health trend, will help me feel a whole lot better each day.

Over the next few blogs, I'll share my insights, challenges and rewards that I've discovered about my health. I'm getting to know and understand my body, and in doing so, giving it what it needs when it needs it. I'm writing this blog for you in the hopes that you have an "aha" here or there that may take you one step closer to feeling healthier and stronger. After all, we are all meant to feel joyful, energetic and strong each day. And it all starts with our basic health.

What is Health?
To start this journey, I thought I'd take a peek at how the word "health" gets defined in common forums online. So I checked a few local sources for a definition:

1. the general condition of the body or mind with reference to soundness and vigor (dictionary.com)
2. the condition of being well or free from disease (merriam-webster.com)
3. Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.  (World Health Organization)

Which definition do you like? If none of them, can you find a better one - share it in the comments!  I tend to think that #3 is one of the better ones because it encompasses several areas of complete well-being. It's a great start. To me it seems like these definitions of what "health" is don't really inspire me right now. And, in some ways, that's a good thing.

Health is an inside-out job. It starts deep in our cells, our hearts and organs, and our thoughts and attitudes. Then it bursts out from us. So it's really, really important that we pay attention to what's bursting out from us. Does it feel good? Does it hurt? Does it feel unwell? As we listen, we can understand ourselves from that deep, quiet place inside.

So I pose a few questions for you to ponder:

1. What do your cells need to feel totally fulfilled so that they can function, reproduce, and grow in the most healthiest and productive way, giving you the thriving energy you need to go out into the world and create life each day? Or do you want to just crawl back into bed? 
2. What are your heart's deepest longings and desires? Are they being heard? Met? Nurtured to their fullest potential?
3. Is your heart beating at a rhythm that feels the strongest and healthiest possible so that you can put your desires out in the world?
4. Do all of your organs have what they need to support your physical bodies? Do you have enough stamina to climb that hill? Or do you feel under the weather. How do you handle that? Can you love that organ back to its optimum place?
5. What are you saying to yourself in that magnificent head of yours every day? Are you loving and encouraging yourself from the moment you glance in that mirror? Are you empowering? Do you know how to comfort your fears? Doubts? How do you handle your criticism of self?
6. Have you done an attitude check? What do you believe about your family? Your jobs? Your friends and neighbors?  You? How often can you carry an attitude of love towards everyone, even yourself?

These ideas are crucial for developing healthiness from the inside out.

What is your definition of the healthy you?

​Until next time, Be Kind to Yourself.

---