This Blog is set to cover an enormous amount of ground, and I've discovered that the best way to showcase a diverse subject matter in two ways. First, posts that cover a broad horizon and identify topics to discuss further in-depth, and narrow-focus posts that dive deep into a narrowly focused point.
Healthy Living is a broad topic with an equally broad and subjective interpretation. I will distill things in this post to the lowest common denominator. So that a topic can't fit into another. With possibly one exception, I hope that it will make sense.
Sleep, Nutrition ( Water), Movement, Relaxation, Social Health, Environment
Sleep:
I want to start with this because not only is sleep an absolute necessity for a healthy life, it's necessary for life itself. We will discuss many aspects of sleep, including the different levels and their importance. How much sleep do You need? Good sleep habits, enemies of sleep, and so much more.
Nutrition:
A vast topic and I mentioned Water because, although it is an essential item that we consume, Water is the most important piece of our diet and the single component that we cannot survive very long without it. Nutrition includes common topics such as food, drink, and their nutritional breakdowns and the human need and tolerance for the building blocks—vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats, sugars, and so many more. We'll go deep into this broad topic. We will talk about weight gain and loss and cycles in life where each may be more important. We will talk about the correlation between nutrition and disease. Drugs and Alcohol fall into the nutrition box, and this will include supplements to pharmaceutical compounds. We will talk about eating disorders and their effects. We'll also talk about fasting as a mindful, healthy tool. I'm just scratching the surface here, and I want to include mindfulness here, as in several other sections, while I don't think it requires its own slot.
Movement :
Labeled as such because exercise has so many boxes and categories, and I believe that all exercise involves movement, whereas not all movement involves exercise. As is so often the case, these terms are very subjective. The sedentary behavior, especially of youngsters, has contributed to rampant obesity and other related issues and is worth discussing in as much detail as possible. Breathing is an important topic and is movement. Mindfulness and movement. Yoga, Martial arts, Cardio, Aerobics, stretching, endurance, strength, balance, flexibility, HIIT/CrossFit, sports, sex, horticultural therapy, recovery, herbs and supplements, and so much more. We will discuss benefits, limits, and potential hazards as these topics apply to people across the spectrum of gender, age, and physical condition.
Relaxation:
A critical component of health, although it can involve sleep, many elements of relaxation are crucial and do not involve sleep in any way. We will talk about Stress and the damage and chaos it brings to our lives, and Relaxation is the antidote. We will be discussing many techniques and concepts involving relaxation: yoga, breathing techniques, meditation, aromatherapy, massage, sex, journaling, art/hobbies, reading, music, sauna, horticultural therapy, and much more. We'll talk about ways to bring about relaxation and the things that make it difficult.
Social Health:
The ability of individuals to form healthy and rewarding interpersonal relationships with others. Our social relationships contribute to our overall health and quality of life. Having strong interpersonal relationships and a robust support system indicate good social health. Good social health supports better mental and physical health. Research also shows that the ongoing loneliness and chronic stress of poor social health is linked to many physical health problems. Research shows strong social connections are linked to longer life, reduced stress, and improved heart health. Cultivating human relationships is as important as eating healthy food or physical activity. Poor social skills harm our health. Low social health puts us at risk of social isolation, low self-esteem, anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders.
Environment:
Defined as "the surroundings or conditions in which a person, animal, or plant lives or operates. Our environment includes the air we breathe, the compounds we come in contact with, sunlight, darkness, noise, nature, and peace/serenity. Environment affects just about everything, and we will be discussing environments that are desirable, toxic, healthy, and more. We will discuss ways to create and change your environment to assist you in your journey to a healthy life.
I encourage your input as we explore these pillars of health.
Blessings, Joe Grumbine