Vital Remedies for Balanced Health

MENTAL HEALTH

Vital Remedies for Balanced Health

WRITTEN BY KATELYN COON

We humans need to be reminded of life’s most perfect gifts, over and over. The most wonderful gifts are at our fingertips: water, food, exercise, sleep and mindset. If you put even the smallest effort into these five things, your mind and body will thank you on resounding levels. The best part is, you can do all of these things on your own… for FREE!

1. Drink WATER

You, yes, you! Drink more water. Have you had at least two liters today? As Americans, we are so incredibly blessed with easy access to clean (in comparison to other countries) drinking water. Water has long been known to be nature’s most precious gift and simple medicine. Some incredible research has been conducted on proper hydration and the benefits of water. One of my favorite books about water, F. Batmanghelidj, M.D.’s Your Body’s Many Cries for Water, offers insight into the problems caused by long-term dehydration. Cellular function is drastically reduced and impaired by dehydration. Simply put, drink water and feel better.

2.Food

This one is very straightforward: You are what you eat. I am a huge fan of metabolic health and Dr. Paul Saladino’s research. He has a great podcast titled “Fundament Health.” However, there are several schools of thought, and whatever fits you best and makes you feel the best, is what I recommend. Our intuition often offers great wisdom. Whatever you do, just do it consistently. The less you eat processed foods, the better you will feel physically and mentally, and that is just a hard fact. That doesn’t mean I don’t sneak in a Pop Tart every now and then… the key word is balance.

3. Exercise

Ok, Bill (Let’s give Karen a day off), sure you are “tired” or “don’t like to work out,” you have all the excuses. You can walk. Walk at least 1 mile a day. Even that small effort will allow for better sleep and a brighter outlook. Find something that you love. For me, that’s hot yoga and lifting. Whatever your thing is – again, just do it consistently to reap the reward. Know that it’s OK to try out different things until you find the things that light you up and bring that life force energy to you.

4.Sleep

If you don’t get good sleep, that is the biggest indicator that you need the above three things desperately. If don’t have good sleep because of your own habits, that is very easily fixed. Give yourself seven-to-eight hours of sleep time every night. Put away the phone, turn off the TV and sleep. If you are not falling into deep sleep and are constantly tossing and turning, often your water, food or exercise is off and needs an adjustment. A hydrated body and short walk each day will do wonders for your sleep. Have you noticed that you have crazy dreams or restless sleep if you eat late, drink caffeine too late in the day, or go to bed super stressed? Different things trigger different people. Take the time to look within and notice what upsets your body. Our bodies hold the answers if we just take the time to listen. The better your sleep, the longer your body is in homeostasis, keeping you healthy and full of vitality.

5. Mindset

Yes. Mindset. Perhaps the hardest change to incorporate out of all five of my health guidelines. Why is that? Well, the amygdala (the ancient part of our brains that controls our fight or flight responses) loves to keep us safe. It’s like the blinking neon light in our brain that is constantly flashing DANGER, DANGER. If you have been allowing only that part of your brain to rule your thoughts and decision-making process, it will take time to rewire your brain. Using your prefrontal cortex (the part of your brain that is capable of so much and the part we know the least about) is pure magic. The pre-frontal cortex is the part of the brain our conscious minds use to make decisions and create thoughts and patterns. Your thoughts shape your feelings. Change your thinking, change your health and your life. It’s just that simple.

This is YOUR life. Take charge of it. Live well and feel well.

Katelyn Coon is a local REALTOR® and personal development enthusiast. She can be reached at katelyncoonmt@gmail.com. Follow her @ katelyncoonrealestate or @becoming.a.lion.