Guidelines
for Wellness
Be positive. A
positive attitude can help you reduce stress and to be more effective in
everything you do. It can help improve personal and professional interactions,
which improves other people's well being as well. Focusing on the positive, especially developing an attitude of
gratitude can give you a healthier and happier life.
Eliminate harmful habits. Two of the most dangerous habits for your health are tobacco use and
alcohol overuse. The abuse of alcohol or other drugs can also cause
serious troubles in all areas of life.
Connect with others.
Keeping in touch with the rest of humanity, starting with your immediate
family, nourishes the spirit. This may be achieved by the work you do, by
continuing or renewing your relationship with your house of worship, and/or by
volunteering in your community.
Learn self-care.
Learn recommended self-tests. For example, women 20 years or older should do a
breast self-exam every month, and men should do a monthly testicular self-exam.
Both genders should examine skin for spots, sores or moles that seem to change;
this may indicate skin cancer. Your health-care provider can give you
information on how to do self-exams.
Learn what you can do at home to
care for your self and your family. Learn basic lifesaving techniques such as
the Heimlich maneuver, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Learn basic first
aid.
Pay attention to your nutritional needs. Begin with
a healthy diet, based on the nutritional needs of your body, not just on what’s
convenient or you feel like eating. Learn to shop for, and prepare foods that
are both healthy and delicious.
Many people require supplementation
for optimal nutritional health. Choose
vitamins, minerals, and other supplements that are proven effective and safe.
Maintain active lifestyle. Exercise promotes physical and emotional health. It can also help
control weight. Experts recommend that adults accumulate 30 minutes of
moderate-intensity activity (such as walking, gardening, and dancing) during
most days. Consult your doctor before starting any exercise program and be sure
to include warm-up and cool-down stretches in it.
Get Checkups. Have routine physical exams on schedule.
Consult your health-care provider for what is best for you. Include regular
dental checkups and cleanings as well.
Keep your environment healthy. Reduce your exposure to polluted air or water, and
to excessive noise and dust. Be aware of your home environment and the products
you use. Some of the most toxic substances you will be exposed to are found in
common household products. Learn about
safe, effective, non-toxic, environmental friendly products. Many of them are actually less expensive and
more effective than typical products.
Practice good hygiene. Help protect your self from germs by washing hands with soap and water
before and after preparing food, and after going to the bathroom, touching an
animal, or being in contact with people who are ill. Use effect personal
hygiene products.
Protect your skin.
Give your skin extra protection. Children and adults need a sunscreen with an
SPF (Sun Protection Factor) of 15 or more. Babies under six-months-old should
be kept out of the sun completely. Protect exposed skin, eyes, and nose when
working with any chemicals, or better yet, eliminate harmful chemical as much
as possible.
Reduce stress.
Stress is a natural part of life, but too much of it can make you physically
ill and harm you emotionally. Be aware
of excessive stress in your own life as learn effective means to eliminate or
reduce it. Keep balance in all the
areas of your life.
Take time to reflect.
Allow yourself quiet time to connect with the larger whole of your existence.
Use this time to appreciate nature and/or meditate. Reflect on where you are in
life, where you want to be, how to achieve your goals for tomorrow, and what
you can be thankful for today.
Get adequate rest.
Adequate rest is critical for a healthy body, mind, and spirit. Too little rest
can increase stress, make you less alert, and contribute to physical problems,
such as headaches and eyestrain. Many medical experts typically recommend seven
to eight hours of sleep a night for good health. Remember to take time to relax
throughout the day as well.
Stimulate your mind.
Keep your mind active. Take classes, read books and magazines, enjoy cultural
events and places, play games with your family and friends. Be open to new
challenges, such as a new hobby, or starting your own business. Have goals and
work towards them. The more you exercise your mind, the better and longer it
will serve you.
Accept abundance.
Abundance is having the financial resources necessary to provide for a
lifestyle of wellness. Many people have behaviors, beliefs and emotions that
limit their ability to achieve and enjoy financial abundance. Become aware of what limits you and learn
the steps necessary to overcome them. Develop new habits that allow you to
create and enjoy financial abundance.
Copyright ©2005
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John Lundholm, M.A.
R.N. is the author of numerous articles on health and success, and the book Dynamically Anchored Self Hypnosis. A former licensed
Psychotherapist,he is currently a wellness consultant and educator,and webmaster of The Good Life Now Success and Personal Growth Resources and Brain Power.8k.com a site dedicated to Increasing Intelligence and Personal Power. This article may be reproduced, but
only in its entirety including this information on the author.
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