3 Steps That Support Wellness

Do you view wellness as a challenge? In light of all the different messages you hear from the media, living in wellness could seem hard. Yet, from the functional perspective, seeking relief from symptoms or disease is relatively simple.

Now before you check out on me, let me clarify that reversing disease isn’t easy, but it is as simple as minimizing, maximizing, and prioritizing. Let me explain the functional approach to support the body’s healing process.

Maximize

I don’t think you would be surprised to hear that you need to maximize what is needed for your unique body. This would include the raw materials your body needs to function and heal. What are they? Vitamins, minerals, protein, healthy fats, antioxidants, oxygen and water.

Are you surprised that I would include fats with key raw materials? We’ve heard for years that fat is bad for you, but not all fat. Note that I specified healthy fats, which include avocado, extra virgin olive oil, and coconut oil – not vegetable oils or hydrogenated ingredients.

Fat supports cell growth, keeps cholesterol and blood pressure under control, provides energy and helps the body absorb vital nutrients. It is an important building block.

Minimize

As important as maximizing the intake of vital raw materials, so is minimizing what is harmful to your unique body. I’m sure there are several that pop into your mind such as toxins, infections, and allergens. We know these hurt the body.

Sadly, there are a lot of toxins that creep in through foods that we eat and products that we use daily. Just because something is on the store shelf for you to purchase does not guarantee that it is safe for you.

What else can damage your body? Stress. It can come from both external and internal sources. External sources of stress can be found at work, whether in the demands of the job or the people with whom you work.

You may also have sources of stress at home that can include relationships, finances, or actual mold and toxins in the building. Internal sources of stress can come from disease, past trauma, and even your own thought process. Whatever the source, stress can have a negative physiological effect on your body similar to toxins.

Prioritize

Here’s the part that many overlook – prioritizing an environment for healing. I have found that women often put everyone else ahead of themselves, not realizing they were pouring from an empty cup. You too? Then your first step in this area is to learn to prioritize yourself in order to heal.

An environment for healing would include moderating the stressors in your life. Also, ensuring that you allow sufficient time for rest periods during the day and restorative sleep at night. Sometimes my clients give me strange looks when I ask them how they can integrate more laughter into their day – it’s good medicine after all.

Movement, stretching, and breathing are also important to prioritize when you are healing. Your body was created to move. Important aspects of your physiology are dependent on your movement for proper function. And deep breathing, which often requires intentional effort, is vital for fully supplying your body with oxygen.

Top these off with cultivation of positive expectations and mindful attention to the people and things around you. This means actually listening to how you talk to yourself and learning to speak kindly, because your body is listening.

This simple outline of Maximize, Minimize and Prioritize can guide you in your healing journey. Any journey begins with a single step, and each step you take in these areas will bring you closer to your goal. Where will you start?