According to Google the word “health” is “the state of being free from illness or injury.” Yet living a healthy life encompasses SO much more than just being free of illness, don’t you agree?
As chiropractors in Miami, Fl we I believe that true health is a balance of multiple different areas of the human body. Our mentor taught us to LIVE the DREAM = Diet, Rest, Exercise, Alignment and Mental Attitude. All 5 of these areas must be balanced and well, in order to really, truly, be healthy.
D is for Diet
While this topic can be argued by many, and it really seems like everyone has an opinion on what a “proper” diet is nowadays (plant based, keto, paleo, vegan, vegetarian… is your head spinning yet)?, I think everyone can agree that eating real, unprocessed food is best for all.
You can never go wrong with fruits, veggies and organic meats. Items that come in a box, bag or can are packed full of sugar and preservatives that don’t break down properly in the body. This can lead to weight gain, hormonal issues, fatigue, headaches, and a slew of other symptoms.
Water is also an ESSENTIAL part of the diet puzzle. Everyone should drink half their body weight in ounces of water daily, adding more if you exercise or are out in the hot Florida heat.
R is for REST
Rest is one of the first topics that we discuss with our patients. Resting is healing. Our bodies need rest in order to recharge, which is why getting 7-8 hours of sleep nightly is essential.
Pro-Tip: For the BEST nights rest, DO NOT sleep with your TV on and please, please, please don’t look at your phone or Ipad before bed. Electronic use before bed actually delays your body’s internal clock, making it more difficult to fall asleep.
E is for Exercise
Movement is the key to life. Bottom line. There is definitive research that moving more = living longer. “…the researchers found, someone’s chances of dying prematurely continued to drop the more he or she moved.”
When we suggest 60 minutes of movement daily, we’re not implying that you have to be a marathon runner. Find something you can like do, whether it be walking the dog, swimming or paddle boarding.
We couldn’t leave the exercise category without expressing some serious emphasis on STRETCHING. Stretching daily is just as essential as exercise. Why?
We all perform the same movement patterns every day and, for many, that is sitting at a desk for 8 hours. This stiffens our muscles and, over time, wears out our joints prematurely. Stretching can help slow this process down, which can prevent pain and problems down the road. Plus, stretching also helps prevent injuries during our day-to-day tasks and during exercise.
A is for Alignment
Having proper movement patterns, flexibility and mobility is often not possible without seeing a chiropractor regularly. There’s a reason why professional and Olympic athletes like Michael Jordan, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Tiger Woods, Aaron Rogers and SO many more endorse chiropractic care as a part of contributing to their peak performance.
Being aligned by a chiropractor isn’t just for the pros to heighten athletic performance, just about everyone needs it! Much like seeing a dentist regularly to maintain the health of your teeth, the same concept applies to your spinal health.
Getting adjusted helps slow down the aging process of the spine, keeping you pain free and moving well as the years go by.
M is for a Positive Mental Attitude
Is your glass half full or half empty? It may sound silly, but having a positive mental attitude really helps you have a better life. It’s inevitable that things won’t always go as planned, and sometime life can throw some serious curve balls at you (cough-cough 2020), but the way we look at things makes all the difference.
Try starting and ending your day by writing down 3 things your grateful for. Set goals for the week, month and year to stay on track and, if you haven’t started yet, MEDITATE! We love the Calm App. It offers daily, guided 10-minute meditations, meditations for sleep and relaxation and so much more.
LIVE THE DREAM EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
So, there you have it! All 5 pieces to our “healthy pie.” I can assure you that if you work on sprinkling in a little bit of each of these every day, you’ll not only live longer, but you’ll feel better, move better and have a much better quality of life in your days.
“If you don’t make time for your wellness, you’ll be forced to make time for your illness.”