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What is good health?

Indeed, there are many ways to define good health. There are many dimensions to health and wellness… physical, social, financial, emotional, occupational, recreational, spiritual, and others. By and large, when we talk about health, we typically refer the physical aspect of it. And when it comes to that, the most discussion is around food and exercise.

Food and exercise are important pillars of achieving great health. However; there are other elements that contribute; and in fact, influence how body responds to food and exercise.

So, here are six principles for achieving a great health.

Get sunshine.

The Sun provides the basis for all life on earth. It is the source of energy for all life form including plants, animals and humans. The body manufactures vitamin D after being exposed to sunlight. Vitamin D is critical for the body because it helps the body absorb calcium and also helps it keep the right amount of calcium and phosphorus in the blood. Without sufficient amount of vitamin D, bones can become thin, brittle, or even misshapen.

Get enough sleep.

More and more studies are suggesting that sleep plays a critical role in people’s physical as well as their mental health and functioning. Lack of sleep can compromise immune system effectiveness, which can lead to various forms of health problems. Some experts believe that lack of sleep can make the body become resistant to insulin, a hormone which helps carry glucose from bloodstream to cells. Other problems resulting from lack of sleep includes lack of mental clarity, memory problems, moody disposition, and higher stress level.

Eat well and drink well.

We are literally what we eat. What we eat plays a significant role in the functioning of our body, health, and well-being. What you decide to eat and how you decide to prepare it will impact your health in more ways that we give thought to. Several food groups have been promoted by governmental organizations, and nutrition specialists world over; it provides the public with some general diet and nutritional guidelines on how to eat sensible.

Move! And exercise.

Regular exercise has a host of health benefits. For example, when fat gets into the muscles of the heart it can interfere with electrical impulses necessary for the proper functioning of the heart. Regular aerobic exercise can make your heart stronger and work more efficiently by reducing the amount of fat that can build up. Some other benefits include, reduced risk of developing diabetes, control of type II diabetes, reduce risk for high blood pressure, reduce level of current high blood pressure, control weight gain, build healthy and strong bones, muscles and joints, improve blood flow throughout the body, improves the body’s capacity to use calories, and reduces both mental and physical stress.

Breathe.

The air we breathe plays an essential part in our health and functioning. Long-term exposure to toxic or polluted air can compromise the health and functioning of the cells and organs of our body leading to increase susceptibility to infections and various forms of disease. Some long-term effects of polluted air include: Lung cancer, heart disease, chronic respiratory disease, and even damage to parts of the brain, nerves, liver, or kidneys, etc. Even with clean air, adults have lost the art of breathing! Take some time out in your bust day and redevelop the art of breathing.

Practice mindfulness.

Taking time out of a busy schedule to relax and meditate can act as good medicine. Until recently, meditation has been largely recognized as a spiritual practice. Meditation is now recognized as having many benefits for health and well-being. In some cases, it has been implemented in the management of some forms of illness, management of stress, and even in accelerated learning programs.

In the area of health and wellness, meditation is known to increase blood flow and slow heart rate, relaxation, reduction of physical and psychological stress, reduce anxiety attacks, and even build self-confidence.

Read further articles to learn more and practice these principles.