Foundations of Health
There is an essential paradox to
being human. Each and every one of us is a unique being and, yet, as we are all
humans, there are certain commonalties we share. We are the same, yet different.
Over the last couple millennia, the physicians and
sages of the Chinese medical system have discerned the basics to being healthy
as a human being. There are certain fundamental requirements to attain and
maintain health.
I have broken down the foundations of health into six
areas. There are certain requirements within each area that must be
addressed if you wish to be a truly healthy person. Now, that being said, there
may be an illness present that creates the appearance that one or more of these
areas is not necessary or, perhaps, isn't immediately possible. In such cases,
professional medical care may be required.
As these are the very basics of health, none can be
ignored if you wish to attain real health. It is possible to 'feel fine' while
one or more of these areas is ignored, but with proper attention to the
foundations, that 'fine' feeling will improve drastically. This has been my
personal experience on several occasions. I'll fall off my exercise regime or sleep
schedule, but, really, I still feel fine. Inevitably, as soon as I get back on
track with exercise or sleep, I am amazed at how much better I feel.
The six areas are:
Mind and Mood. The emotions are considered
internal causes of disease in classical Chinese medical theory. Though emotions
are as natural, and therefore healthy, as any other bodily function, where they
go ignored and repressed or fueled excessively they become causes of disease.
Sleep. Clearly, fundamental to good health is
plenty of quality rest. The amount needed may vary with amount of physical
activity, age, season, overall health, etc. There are a few basics to getting
good sleep that are addressed in the separate article, as well as talk about
what exactly sleep does for us.
Diet. Diet has received a lot of attention,
but so often the basics of healthy eating habits are ignored or misunderstood.
Before any talk about what to eat occurs, these basics need to be addressed.
Even if 'good' foods are consumed and 'bad' ones avoided (assuming such static
distinctions are possible), if one eats late at night, when not hungry, or with
large quantities of fluids the diet will effectively be poor, and will not
sustain good health.
Exercise. The body is designed to be moved. If it is
not, it won't be healthy. Contrary to popular belief, running may not be healthy
exercise, and walking may not be enough. There are some basics to determine
whether your exercise is healthy, and there are some classically proven very
healthy exercises.
Meditation. Simple seated meditation, where
the goal is to simply sit there, is one of the most important things a human
being can do. Though one can function without a meditation practice, one does
not experience real living until they get a such a regular practice going. It is
profound simplicity.
Appropriate Medical Care. In many ways, we are
social creatures. As far as health and healing are concerned, it seems to be
written into our structure that there will be those who are naturally talented
in medical care. And it's a good thing, to, because we all seem to fall ill at
some point despite our best efforts. 'Appropriate medical care' simply means
seeking the right treatment at the right time. This is essential to living a
healthy life.
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