Improve Your Health with Simple Basics for 2012!

Welcome to 2012! As we start our year, I like to reflect on the basics to set my 2012 health aspirations.  Try these things to help give your year a kick-start:

DIET – after all the indulgences over the holidays, our bodies crave a balanced diet full of nutrients.  A diet with protein (legumes, raw nuts, chicken, fish, turkey, eggs, and tofu with each meal), complex carbohydrates (veggies, fruits, brown grains such as rice, quinoa, spelt, kamut) and healthy fats (olive/fish/flax oil, avocado and raw nuts and seeds) will put energy in your step and help boost mood.

MOVEMENT – 30 minutes daily continuous movement helpsincrease circulation and Qi (energy) flow to help your mood and energy through the day.   Walking, yoga, swimming, Qi gong, stretching and aerobic activity are great movement activities.

SLEEP – Set regular sleep times - going to bed and waking at the same time every day.  Sleep helps our bodies regenerate, allowing muscles to relax and our minds to rest and stop thinking!  A good night’s sleep will help increase energy and mood through the day.

PLAY – FUN and LAUGHTER bring joy into our daily lives.   Go for a walk outside in the fresh air, take a new class, go to a funny movie, take the kids to the mountains or simply enjoy the sun shining through the window!

WATER – Drink at least half your body weight in ounces daily. For example, 128 lbs/2 = 64 oz = 8 glasses, of filtered (or spring) water every day.

ROUTINE – Set a routine that will work in your lifestyle.  Regular bed/wake times, meal times, exercise times and appointment/meeting times will allow your body to get into a routine.  When we are out of routine, we make our adrenal glands work harder to help us adapt to the new routine.  Supporting the adrenal glands helps with our stress management through the day.

Specific naturopathic activities to consider (please consult your naturopathic doctor before doing these):

DRY SKIN BRUSHING – dry skin brushing aids in improving lymphatic flow through the body.  The lymph system is responsible for taking toxins away from the muscles and tissues to be excreted out of the body.  Use a soft bristled dry skin brush, applying gentle pressure to the skin as you move the brush in small circular strokes towards the heart.

CASTOR OIL PACKS – these are fabulous at increasing lymph flow, enhancing bowel movements and decreasing inflammation.  We may recommend applying it over the abdomen for aiding a cleanse or over inflamed areas like joints.

Enjoy the benefits of the basics!

Dr Bunzenmeyer ND

The above adapted from Dr. Dick Thom ND’s Basic Treatment Guidelines.