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WELLNESS GUIDELINES Optimal health is something that virtually everyone would like to have. Nobody wishes to suffer from poor health. Yet, millions of people do. Millions more live with so-so health, perhaps propped up with medications, but less than ideal. Yet, the truth is that much of the poor or mediocre health we see in the United States is preventable and unnecessary. Most people could live more healthfully. Why don’t they? They either do not know the secrets of wellness, or they make contrary choices, not realizing what powerful negative effects poor lifestyle choices can have on their lives. Yet, healthful living is not difficult, and it reaps wonderful rewards. What are the secrets of wellness? I. Good nutrition is the foundation of good health. II. Regular exercise is the engine that drives good health. III. Good hygiene is the shield that protects health of body and mind. IV. Love is the matrix that nourishes health of body, mind, and spirit. V. Meditation is the link connecting us to inner resources of health power. These secrets of health work best if they are applied conjointly. An engine runs most smoothly if all cylinders fire properly. If one cylinder misfires, it detracts from good engine performance, even if the others are firing perfectly. In a similar way, good health needs the blend of all the principles of wellness for optimal performance. Is it possible to experience health problems even when living as healthy a lifestyle as possible? Yes. The body is an incredibly complex organism, and life is complicated. The possibility of illness, malfunction, or accidental injury always exists, but the odds of such events are less likely for a person living a healthy lifestyle. Resistance to disease is better, and perhaps nearly as important, one’s ability to recover is better. If a healthy lifestyle does not guarantee freedom from illness or injury, it is really worth pursuing? The answer, based on extensive research, is a resounding “Yes!” For example, Harvard University’s Nurses’ Health Study found that 80 percent of heart disease and 90 percent of type 2 diabetes is statistically preventable. Dr. Walter Willett comments, “The potential for disease prevention by modest dietary and lifestyle changes is enormous.” Other prevention experts around the country agree. A general consensus is that 75 percent of disease in the USA is preventable. Estimating conservatively, if only half of the cases of diabetes in this country could be prevented, and half of all heart operations could be avoided, tremendous numbers of people would benefit. In addition to individual benefits, the favorable impact of this on our entire health care system would be immense. Is this really possible? It is – if enough people embrace wellness guidelines. I will teach a class on healthy living at Central Florida Community College in Lecanto in February and March. In it we will discuss practical ways of applying wellness guidelines in life. Anyone interested in learning more about the nuts and bolts of a healthy lifestyle is welcome to attend. Call CFCC at the office of continuing education (352-249-1210) for details. I would love to see you there! |