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Enjoy the Sunshine!
The greatest wealth is health. ~Virgil
I hope Summer is finally arriving - even if it is a little patchy.
We just had a week in Italy, 37 degrees every day. It was great to be able to go out end enjoy the sun, without feeling guilty about the nonsensical link between the sun and skin cancer. Naturally, we needed sunscreen, although we were careful not to use the wrong kind.
This month the Environmental Working Group, an independent organisation campaigning for consumers in the US published a list of 785 brands of sunscreen which they rated for safety and effectiveness.
Their "comprehensive scientific review indicates that 83% of 785 sunscreen products offer inadequate protection from the sun, or contain ingredients with significant safety concerns."
You can read the full report here. While they tested US brands, I'm sure you will recognise the brand-names.
The "Lavera" brand which we used on holiday, came 4th on the list.
The top brand UVNatural, is very popular in Australia but is not available in the UK.
How much do you spend maintaining your car?
This morning a great patient of mine said "I was just thinking how much I spend to maintain my car, compared to how much I spend to maintain my body. It's crazy. I can go out and buy a new car ....."
How important is your health to you? The answer depends a lot on your current circumstances because it seems that whether we value health or wealth most depends on which one we've lost.
"Why should I worry!" I hear you shout. "The NHS will look after me!"
It possible that having a "free" NHS system actually makes us less inclined to look after ourselves. After all, if we get sick, it's not going to cost us anything.
But we all pay for the NHS. If you think healthcare is free and all those nice doctors and surgeons are working for nothing, have a look at what BUPA will charge you if you want a little "health" care, in the form of a minor operation. NHS charges will be similar, it's just that the payment is taken in the form of taxes and National Insurance.
If I'd known I was going to live so long, I'd have taken better care of myself. ~Leon Eldred
I haven't used the NHS for 20 years. I don't mind paying towards it because, if I ever have a car accident or fall off a cliff, I will be eternally grateful to anyone skillful enough to sew me up again. But what, exactly is a medical doctor going to do to make me healthier?
Take my blood pressure? Measure my cholesterol? High blood pressure and high cholesterol aren't diseases, they're measurements. Whatsmore, they are only symptoms of a deeper, functional problem.
Ultimately, staying well is a DIY project, and in this project, each of us has two choices. We can either wait until something goes so wrong that we are forced to act, or we can be proactive and maximise our wellness so we are in a stronger position to fight off illness.
The really great news is it doesn't cost a lot to stay healthy and staying healthy certainly costs a lot less than trying to regain your health after you've lost it.
I asked a few of our therapists what they do to stay well. Here are their 3 top tips:
Eliminate metal from my mouth and skin
Avoid synthetic chemicals in my air, water and food
Avoid Doctors, Specialists, Dentists and Fast-food restaurants.
Eat regularly and eat healthy food
Accept how I am - try not to be or do anything that's not coming from my heart
Enjoy unstructured time - time when I don't have to be somewhere at a certain time.
"Know thyself" - Socrates Self enquiry makes for growth and health
"Yield and you need not break" - Lao Tzu Softness in your body and your being keeps you young
Watch more comedy, it's good for your Heart.
Talk about your feelings either with family or a good friend or with a counsellor
Make sure that sometimes you put yourself first and do something you really love, and have fun
Spend time outside in the fresh air, walking, cycling, gardening or sitting enjoying a view
Hot water and Lemon first thing in the morning
Yoga
Smiles and laughter
Prevention is better than cure. Treat yourself naturally, not by chemicals.
Healthy diet--avoid artifcial coloured drinks and food, frozen food, white bread, red meat, alcohol, margarine, fried food, fatty food. Eat fresh fruits, nuts, and vegetables.
Regular excercise, walking, at least 4 times a week. Early to bed. Early to rise. Six to seven hours of sleep.
Take antioxidants, fish oils, multivits and probiotics
Wear an SPF moisturiser every day
Have detox baths (juinper, ylang ylang and lemon essential oils and/or fresh ginger)
Communicate - talk to people
Spend time in Nature
Laugh and have fun
What do you do to stay well? What do you do that really works for you (you know it works because sometimes you don't do it and you suffer the consequences)? Send me an email and I will publish them next time (include your name under your suggestions).
Half the modern drugs could well be thrown out the window, except that the birds might eat them.
~Martin H. Fischer
Did you know Simon operates a WELLNESS PLAN? It's a bit like natural health insurance. If you keep yourself in peak form by committing to a regualr checkup we give you a discount on your visits and free visits if you need treatment between your regular visits. Click here for more details.
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