I’m going to be very blunt - there is a lot of garbage out there in this information era that is confusing the heck out of most people. We are constantly consumed by complex health trends, fad diets, supplement this and super food that.
I consider myself a healthy person - but the development of my core values around health did not come to me over night. It took many years of intense study, trial and error and hours of reading to understand the questions that are important to me.
What is health? How can I use my body to its fullest potential? How do I implement these into my life consistently?
The truth is - people who are healthy keep it simple. The most important factor in our health is how frequently and how consistently we do things that benefit our health and bodies.
For me, the key lies in balance (not moderation). In nature, we thrive through harmony amongst all aspects of our lives, not allowing one single thing to over dominate. With this in mind, I have developed the top 9 values I follow in my life to keep myself healthy and on track to optimal function.
9 Principles that ONLY Healthy People Follow
Health and success takes work. It doesn’t happen over night.
HEALTHY IS NOT THE SAME AS FEELING GOOD
In fact I would even consider the opposite to be true. Feeling like crap because you have a cold is your body’s perfect expression of health. I’m glad that when I push it too hard at the gym, my body let’s me know about it. We take for granted the fact that our cars tell us when they need care but we ignore when our bodies do the same. Feeling good does not necessarily mean that you are healthy. Health is a state of optimal function of the body - it occurs when all the body’s need are being met consistently over time. Focus on taking correct actions instead of only actions that are focused on feeling better.
2. THERE IS NO MAGIC REMEDY OR CURE
Unfortunately, there is no secret nutrient from the rain forest, super food, essential oil, diet, exercise, yoga pose, therapy or guru that can fix everything and maximize your health in an instant. Generally by the time you’ve become “symptomatic” there has been a problem in your body for a long time. It takes consistent, daily effort to correct underlying issues that caused the problem in the first place.
3. STRENGTH TRAINING
If there were a magic bullet - this would be it. Moving heavy (this is a relative term - body weight can mean “heavy” in this case) weights not only meets a core requirement of the body for optimal development but it affects the body in a ton of ways with positive outcomes that can’t be matched by any other intervention. Consider hiring a trainer or coach for this.
4. FOOD QUALITY IS MORE IMPORTANT THAT QUANTITY
Diets have become a billion dollar industry around the world and although many are rooted in good intension; most of them are garbage. Millions of people are dieting and chronically searching for the next best solution to drop pounds and get that beach body. Healthy people understand that eating real food (aka food without a label) helps fuel your body meet it’s nutrient requirements. Its about the nutrients your food provides that are most important - not the calories.
5. HAPPINESS IS AN EFFECT, NOT A CAUSE
In order to achieve happiness you must follow your values. This first requires taking time to figure out what your values are. If you value your health, working towards achieving health will make you happier. If you value your family,, finding ways to enhance your home life will make you happier. Don’t focus on the pursuit of happiness which often times means short-lived pleasure and constantly chasing more.
6. SLEEP
I talk about sleep in almost all of my recommendations. Regular, good quality sleep is the fastest way to stimulate healing and repair in your body. In an over stimulated world this is a hard one for most of us to meet.
7. MONEY ISN’T THE ANSWER
Money itself is neither good nor bad. Think of it as a resource that can be used for either good or bad things. Healthy people understand that having more money in your bank account means nothing if you aren’t living your life according to your values and beliefs. Invest in your health now while you have the option to do so.
8. MAINTAINING YOUR PHYSICAL STRUCTURE AND POSTURE IS A MUST
Posture is a window into the structural health of your body but can also effect other parts of our body. We can’t always see what is happening on the inside but if we pay close attention you can find early signs of breakdown happening on the outside.
9. EVERYTHING MATTERS
This is something that every extremely healthy person understands well. Some actions may have bigger impacts than others, but in the end everything matters. Every thought, movement (or lack there of) and thing we put into our bodies affects us and our health. Healthy people are constantly thinking of how to counteract the negatives with positives.
I’ve completely eliminated the phrase “everything in moderation.” It’s simply not true and just an excuse for people to use to include things they know have a negative effect without having to be accountable for the consequences. A couple glasses of wine every night may be considered “in moderation” to some when really this accumulation over time is devastating to our health.
Healthy people consciously choose their actions and accept responsibility for them - good or bad.
How many of these core principles do you use in your life?
Dr. Alfredo is an health enthusiast who’s goal is to help people and families live healthier, happier lives. My philosophy on health is simple - our body’s have the amazing ability and potential to self-adapt, self-regulate and THRIVE in this world.