I had a cold in April, but haven't been sick since then. This is literally the longest stretch of uninterrupted health I've had in my adult life. It feels like a miracle. There are many things I attribute my health to. Of course eating right, exercising, and sleep are important, but I've always done those things. In 2010 my health got so bad that I was forced to make some major changes. Here are a few of the things I've done.
1. I began to exercise less intensely. I hate plyometrics, sprinting, and intense cardio. It does not work for me. Instead I've taken to long walks, weight work, and yoga. I haven't gained any weight by cutting back on intensity. In fact, I am able to work out more consistently because I'm working less hard.
2. I spend more time relaxing, resting, and connecting with nature. I love to sit out in my garden or take long walks outside. I read. I am alone. These activities are remarkably healing and allow me to process the constant stress and information I am receiving on a daily basis.
3. I eat a diet that is more nearly vegan than before. I don't digest animal proteins well. I am not eating a ton of processed food and I still eat animal foods several times a week. In general, however, I am eating plants. I am also eating cooked food. Raw food can be great in the heat of summer, but warm cooked soups, beans, and vegetables have remarkable healing power.
4. I've added more garlic, onion, and radish to my diet.
5. I stopped taking medications including oral contraceptives. This has made a huge impact on my energy levels.
6. I get plenty of sunshine.
7. I do yoga. Yoga has remarkable healing powers. It stretches my body, improves alignment, and reorganizes the body's energy.
8. I have changed some of my paradigms. I am much more likely to see life as a perfect and complete whole rather than as something that is lacking and needs improvement. I am much kinder to myself. I am much more content with the life that I have. I am able to see the changing of the seasons and the fleeting nature of all things. This helps me live more fully in the moment with a greater appreciation for the preciousness of life.
9. I am more willing to feel things fully and to be completely honest with myself and those around me.
10. I use a neti pot every single day.
11. I am practical. I don't go to extremes. I don't follow a particular diet. I follow my inner guide and allow each day to be what it is. I don't expect one day to be identical to the preceeding one. Sometimes I need to burn off energy. Other times I need to hibernate and build up. I can see things as a cycle. I can approach myself and others with compassion.
Overall, I am very happy with where I am now. I see all struggles as invitations. It is through our suffering that doors open and we learn. I am not afraid of life. I am having a relationship with it. The result is that I am becoming a person who is healthy in body and spirit. I am not defined by my body. I have no rules or restrictions to impose on others. Total health requires a total transformation. Its not just about eating vegetables or avoiding junk food. Its about living fully in your body and being absolutely present to life. It is also about allowing yourself to heal. It is about compassion. Ultimately, it is about compassion for all living things, but it must begin with yourself. You cannot give what you have not lived.
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