Being Healthy is a Revolutionary Act

I recently read an article in Experience Life magazine that resonated with me, about how Being Healthy is a Revolutionary Act.  As I observe my own life, I know that living a healthy, balanced life is not any easy task.  It is an act that takes time, conscious energy and thought.  You need to become dedicated, disciplined and almost vigilant when it comes to taking care of your own health.
The statistics show that in terms of overall well-being and life satisfaction Americans are failing.  A recent psychological research study by Barbara Fredrickson, PhD, et al., shows only about 20 percent of Americans are thriving. The remaining 80 percent appear to be just getting by, or “living lives of quiet despair.”  Click here for more stats and join the cause http://revolutionaryact.com/.
There is hope, more and more people are joining the bandwagon. As yoga, massage, nutrition, acupuncture, and meditation all gain mainstream acceptance.  My vision is that all of these things will be second nature and that America will become a nation that places a higher value on health and well being than on financial and material possessions.
From my perspective, here are the 3 biggest things that we are battling against on our quest towards living a healthy and thriving life:
1)      Lack of time – More and more Americans are working more hours per week than we did 20 years ago but making the same amount of money.  Lack of time is one of the key culprits to leading an unhealthy and unbalanced life.  When you don’t have time you generally live under chronically stressful conditions, and many important things move to the end of the “to do” list, mainly your own health and self-care.  We live in a culture that normalizes sleep deprivation and rest, but sleep is one of the most important healers when it comes to good health.  When you lack time you generally don’t get a full nights rest and it is highly unlikely that you get any respite in the middle of a busy day.
2)      Lack of financial resources and margin – When we lack money it is easy to eat fast, processed or pre-packaged foods, which are generally cheaper in the short run than fresh foods, but are more expensive in the long run when you think about all the health issues associated with poor eating and nutrition. When we lack savings and some unexpected expense arises (which always happens), day to day living becomes stressful and can lead to strain in your relationships, which affects your emotional well-being.
3)      Lack of education and awareness – When we are busy many of us don’t take the time to research and reflect before making decisions; this can be very costly to our wallet and our health.  When we are just trying to get through the day, many of us become numb to feeling joy and happiness.  Many of us are so burned out that the only thing we want to do is sit in front of the television and “zone” out.  As we “zone” out in front of the TV it may appear we are relaxing, but generally we are numbing our minds while being marketed and sold to.
So where do you start? Start with small steps, no big life change happens overnight.  Deciding to put your health first is a HUGE change.  Take some time every day to reflect on what you can do that day to nurture and take care of yourself. Turn off the TV, minimize your social commitments and give yourself some time for reflection.  Good luck and remember you are not on this journey alone.
Look forward to seeing you soon at The Wellness Center.
In Health,
Sharon