Thursday, June 5, 2014

Raising Healthy Families in an Unhealthy World

Many people define health simply by waking without pain.  While this may be a convenient understanding it is far from encompassing all aspects of health and wellness.  How our bodies are responding to the demands put on them on a daily basis really gauges how we feel, both physically and emotionally.  To add more emphasis to the importance of our health, we are the first generation to have an expected life expectancy longer than that of our children.  With diabetes, obesity and other childhood diseases running rampant it's time to turn the tide.
First it's important to understand the different types of stress which are having an impact on our health.  Physical, chemical and emotional stress encompass the varying stressors we encounter, and while we cannot remove these stressors from our daily routine we can have an impact on how our body is adapting to the changes.
Chemical:
     Try to limit the toxic load you face by removing as much processed food as possible, cutting down on preservatives and being aware of sensitivities you may have to specific food types.
     Re-evaluate the medicine cabinet, if on prescription medication speak with your medical doctor on the necessity of the script as well as the benefits, risks, and possible alternatives.  Remember every drug has not only an intended effect, but also a long list of side effects.
     Get outside and away from highways and vehicle exhaust!  Sun exposure (in moderation) helps to supplement vitamin D3 and has profound impacts on both physical and emotional health.
Emotional:
     Find time for yourself.  Before we were "Mom" and "Dad" we were "Husband" and "Wife", we were "Daughter" and "Son", we were individuals with interests that made us happy.  Re-visit that which makes you happy, if eventually this can be a family activity that's wonderful, but you should not feel so obligated to everyone else that your identity is lost in the shuffle.
     We are all in this crazy world together and at times it's easy to forget that there is so much more going on outside of the microcosm that is work and home life.  Having a connection to something greater than ourselves helps to take a step back, breathe, and center.  For some people this may be church, for others it may be a hike through the mountains, still others may benefit greatly from meditation or yoga practices.  Find what works for you, not what works for everyone else.
Physical:
     Not a day passes that we are without physical stress.  Simply laying in bed has been shown to have disastrous health implications.  A body that stops moving starts dying, so get active!  Taking the kids to the park to run in an open field, you can bring a ball to kick or throw, but I know my little girl would rather just run around aimlessly.  Try to let go of structured activities and allow some freedom!
     Get adjusted!  Our nervous system is processing everything we experience every day from sights to sounds, tastes and smells, physical touch and thoughts.  Having someone who is focused on maintaining the function of your nervous system and trained to remove the interference (subluxation) will allow the body to continue to adapt to stress and can have profound impacts on sleep, digestion, emotional stability and your overall sense of wellbeing. 
It's easier to live a happy, healthy life when your body is functioning optimally.  By following a few simple steps we can assure we are doing the best, not only for ourselves, but our entire family.  Remember, everything you say and do is witnessed by the little ones we are around every day, lets start leading by example!

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