Health

Since ancient times, man has been concerned with issues of health. The most basic definition of health is the state of the body’s normal functions.

Anything out of the ordinary in terms of bodily state and function means that the body is less than fully healthy. In olden days, it was believed that the key to health lay in pleasing the gods.

Today, however, we understand that health is simply a matter of keeping the various internal mechanisms of the body working in proper order.

Natural Cures for Health

As healthy as we try to be, unfortunately, viruses and illness do not discriminate. Here’s a few things to keep us going - not matter if you may be sick or not.

Physical Activities/Exercise

Exercise is one of the best ways to ensure your body’s continued health, as it stimulates the immune system and also encourages the production of certain chemicals that keep the body healthy, thus allowing your body to better fight off diseases and infection.

Everyone can benefit from some form of physical activity regardless of age, abilities, ethnicity, shape, or size. If you are worried about doing physical activities, walking is generally safe for most people.

According to the CDC: "Some benefits of physical activity on brain health happen right after a session of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Benefits include improved thinking or cognition for children 6 to 13 years of age and reduced short-term feelings of anxiety for adults. Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking, learning, and judgment skills sharp as you age. It can also reduce your risk of depression and anxiety and help you sleep better."

Exercise can improve your quality of life by helping to:

  • Manage weight loss
  • Lower risk of cardiovascular disease
  • Reduce risk of Type 2 diabetes or if this is something you already have, it can help control blood glucose levels
  • Strengthen bone and muscles
  • Older adults can improve physical functions that may help with falling

Vitamins, Supplements and Minerals

The body requires a great many different vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients in order to function at its optimal level. A lack in any of these essential components will result in your health suffering. The body is supposed to get all of the essential components that it requires to function properly from the food you eat.

In this day and age, however, most people do not get all of the essential components that their bodies require from their food. Thus vitamins and other supplements are available to help you get all of the nutrients and minerals that your body requires. Simply take supplements regularly and you will ensure that your body stays in the peak of health.

Some of these include: vitamin D, vitamin B-12, magnesium, calcium, iron, and zinc. It's always best to try and get what you can first from a healthy diet. Remember, vitamins and minerals are not a replacement for food.

Don't Smoke

The tobacco and nicotine contained in cigarettes, cigars, pipes, and other methods of smoking are extremely bad for your health, and should be avoided. These compounds are among the most common causes of many forms of cancer and respiratory diseases that could severely affect your health.

In order to stay healthy, you should avoid these chemicals as much as possible.

Eat a Healthy Diet

Your diet is your main source of nutrition, and it is important that the food you consume contains all of the nutrients necessary for your body to function properly. You should plan your meals such that you consume food from every major food group, and not leave any one of them out.

This way, you provide your body with what it needs to remain healthy and functioning properly. Some foods to think about adding are:

  • Fatty fish
  • Salmon
  • Trout
  • Chicken breast
  • Lean beef
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables
  • Bell peppers
  • Brocolli
  • Carrots
  • Garlic
  • Kale
  • Tomato
  • Green beans
  • Sweet potato
  • Kidney beans
  • Avocado
  • Blueberries
  • Oranges
  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Eggs
  • Nuts and Seeds
  • Almonds
  • Chia Seeds
  • Walnuts
  • Brown rice
  • Oats
  • Cheese
  • Whole milk
  • Yogurt
  • Coconut oil
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Dark chocolate

You can use these foods in a variety of ways and mix and match to make some pretty great meals.