In order to attain vibrant health, one must embrace certain qualities of being and living. To make it easier to understand and remember, I have designed a simple H.E.A..L.T.H. mnemonic to follow.
Harmony — Health is about harmony. For example: harmony of rest-activity; work-play; yin-yang; chaos-order; and day-night. Cultivating harmony within the body, heart-mind, and spirit is a MUST to be healthy. Harmony is about balance, not moderation. It’s not... “everything in moderation”. This is a flawed concept for many reasons. I made a YouTube Video about this in the past (you can find it here >>> moderation video). Nature uses balance, man uses moderation. Nature is smarter, I promise you!
Evolution — In order to thrive, your health must keep evolving. As the saying goes: “if you’re not growing, you’re dying. Structure is important, but rigidity is not necessary. You have to keep learning, and remain flexible mentally, physically, and spiritually. However, this does not mean you should keep changing your mind, or never make up your mind. That’s indiscretion, and it can become a detriment to your health very quickly. You must be decisive, and act in your best interest every day. If you live consciously and mindfully each day, the evolution will naturally occur. If you are stuck, you will get clear signs from the universe telling you so — you will ‘feel off’ or ‘in a rut’. When this happens, it’s time to reflect and allow yourself to evolve.
Action — Your health will be a product of the choices you make and actions you take each day. You must be an ‘active participant’ in the health and healing process. No person (other than yourself) is going to make you healthy. It’s your body, your life, your health, and your responsibility. When your choices and actions align with vibrant health and well-being, your results will reflect this. If you are not getting the results you want, it’s time to choose and act differently. Each day, you will have another chance. How do you get good at something? You have to practice. Being healthy is no exception. The more you practice, the healthier you will become.
Love — Love truly is one of the greatest forces in the universe. Love of self; love of others; and love of the planet are vital for cultivating good health. The ‘biopsychosocial aspect of health is probably one of he most important, yet most often ignored aspects of health. Health is not just the absence of disease. Health is culmination of physical, mental-emotional, spiritual, and biopsychosocial well-being. We need to purposely interact with each other and the environment. When we live ‘on purpose’, or ‘have a purpose’, our health prospers. Infuse LOVE into what you do, and who you are, including your health.
Time — Bottom line: Health is earned! If you want to be healthy, you must put in the time to be healthy. When you look at the amount of time people waste on things that promote poor health vs. good health, is it really any wonder why we are a sick species? Here’s a simple guideline to follow: If it’s not going to build your health, don’t engage in it! Yes, it’s that simple. Some examples would be: Looking down at a phone all day; wasting time on the internet; constant procrastinating; and polluting the body-mind-spirit with junk. These things will all break your health. Spend this time doing things that build your health instead.
Holism — I often get labeled a “holistic health practitioner”. I’m okay with that label, as long as it’s in reference to the fact that I use a truly holistic approach to health, healing, and well-being (not because I sometimes wear hippie clothes or crystals, which is also true). It’ not just one aspect of health (such as diet) that will make one healthy, all aspects are important. This is why I personally use and teach my ‘Chain-of-Health SystemTM’ for vibrant health and well-being. There are 8 links in the chain (Food-Air-Water-Light-Rest-Activity-Hygiene-Love). ALL the links are equally important. As such, taking a holistic vs. myopic approach is always wise and advised.
