There are many details in our daily lives that we seem to cope okay with, but over time, these things combine to wear away our health and destroy it. A few practical, manageable ways in which we could combat this and improve our loved ones’ wellbeing follows:
Water
Every cell needs water for our body and brain to work effectively. Studies show that drinking water improves children’s ability to concentrate. Drink water on rising and throughout the day. Often, what we think is hunger is actually thirst. So it’s a good idea to reach for a glass of water before having that snack we think we want.
Go Raw!
Raw foods contain enzymes and nutrients destroyed by cooking. Many people find that eating a raw, organic, plant-based diet does wonders for their health and wellbeing. Summer is an excellent time to introduce more raw foods to your menu by including a salad with each meal. Enjoy the vibrant colours, crunchy textures and the different flavours.
Chew
This won’t cost you a cent! Chew your food (and your drink) properly, at least 32 times before swallowing. It’s that simple but the more you chew, the better the food is broken down and mixed with saliva rich in digestive enzymes. We are what we eat but we are also what we can digest and absorb.
Move
We are made to move, we have 360 joints which enable us to do that and movement has a host of benefits for our mood, circulation even pain. Stretch, walk, kick a ball around with the kids, dance, swim, run, yoga, do the chores to music – whatever you enjoy and can do safely but keep moving.
Avoid Toxins
Our modern world is overloaded with substances that our ancestors didn’t have to deal with. Plastics, ingredients in body care and cleaning products, byproducts
of drugs that get into our water, things that in small concentrations may not have immediate effects on us but over time and accumulatively, act adversely. Avoid as much as you can. Buy things in glass bottles instead of plastic. Use waxed fabric instead of clingwrap for school sandwishes.
Take small steps, choose one habit you want to change and focus on that until it becomes second nature. Then, tackle the next. What will you choose to change this summer?
By Dr Estelle Moys M.Tech.(Hom.)
084-820-3920 | stellieg@telkomsa.ne
