By Kay Leaman, Health Architect, HealthyDay HealthyLife
Hello to fall, holidays, family, friends and events. I hope yours are fun, memorable and healthy.
The word health is a condition of being sound in body, mind and spirit. It is also a condition in which someone or something is thriving or doing well. With that in mind, what does healthy mean to you?
Here are some questions I thought of to ask: Is my family healthy? Are my relationships healthy? Is my home healthy? Is my work environment healthy? Are my pets healthy? Is my daily schedule healthy? Are my choices healthy? Is my town, city, county, state or nation healthy?
I’m not one for resolutions and overwhelm doesn’t suit me either. However, I do ponder the fact that having a safe and healthy environment is up to me. We choose to say yes or no, choose to participate or not, choose to make a difference. We choose our level of healthy every day.
How can we make our family and relationships healthier? Some thoughts that come to mind is working on the attitude we convey when we speak, especially if we are irritated, tired or disagree with a current task or situation. Take time to listen, support, agree to disagree or stay silent until we can speak with sincerity. Take time to have fun together, hang out to connect and listen to each other, go on new adventures, etc. There is so much we can ‘do.’ The most important thing is our commitment to be a part of the solution. Sometimes, when we are dealing with difficult people, our only choice is to love them anyway. This stuff isn’t easy, but it is worth it. We’ll also never be perfect; so, don’t forget to add some grace for ourselves and others while we journey through this amazing life.
Having a healthy home is dependent on what’s in our home. If you have man-made fiber rugs, curtains, bedding, etc., consider replacing them gradually with natural fibers (wool, jute, cotton, silk, hemp, linen). Exchange cleaning products to healthier options: vinegar, baking soda, borax, plant-based soaps, etc. are great alternatives. Open windows as often as you can to allow the gases from these manmade fabrics to escape. Furniture and vinyl flooring have chemicals as well. Decreasing the toxic load of what’s in our homes can make a big difference. This also includes clothing, cosmetics, lotions potions, candles, etc.
We love our pets! They love us unconditionally and no one can wag their tale and offer us the joy they show when we come home after being gone. Moving from ‘dead food’ to ‘live food’ can make a huge difference. I have a vegan friend who cooks for her dogs. When she has their blood tested, it shows that they have a strong immunity system and do not need ANY vaccines. That being said, improving what we feed them can improve their lives (This goes for us, too!).
I have been working on a healthy schedule for a while now. Scheduling “me” time (to read, exercise, pamper, meditate, pray, etc.) has proven to be difficult. So, because the stress in my life has caused a few health issues, my choices of how and what I schedule needs to change. I am so grateful for a healthy family life that keeps me grounded and allows me to make the changes necessary for a healthier 2025 and beyond.
This past year has had an extraordinary amount of goings on, positive and negative. Americans come from every nation, culture and color. We are a melting pot with all different beliefs, experiences, and thoughts. The one thing that binds us together is our desire for freedom. America is the greatest success experiment of all time. People who flee oppression come here for a chance to be free. My family tree shows we came from Germany. I have a letter my grandpa kept from a family member in Germany talking about the devastation of Hitler’s rein. It was their strength and decision to survive that brought them through. This takes hope and courage.
I guess the health of this nation is at the forefront of my thoughts these days. We, as Americans, have a part to play in the health of this nation. If everyone does their part where they’re planted, change will happen. We don’t have to always agree in order to lock arms and stand for what we cherish most, our right to be free in mind, body and spirit.
I am grateful every day for being able to live here, for the friends I’ve made, the leaders who lead us and the possibilities for tomorrow. I hope you have a fun and memorable holiday season filled with surprises and hope. Embrace the challenges this season brings and laugh more; it reduces stress.
Here’s to Health!
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