A1 Health Wealth and Happiness

Good Health

There has been much written concerning methods of obtaining good health. So much so, that at first it seems like it could be a rather complicated matter. However, aside from all the advertising sales gimmicks and fads it really is straight forward and simple to achieve, good fun too!

First though, I’d like to share something with you. Very briefly, years ago, I joined a local Gym, and took up weight training. I did it for a couple of years, got hooked on the adrenalin, became quite fit and felt good.  However, it was  time consuming, the diet was  expensive, and a desire to concentrate on other matters made me decide to give it up. Later, I took up jogging. Listening to the sounds of my feet pounding pavements and paths, whilst hearing my breathing, inhaling and exhaling deeply, was not giving me any pleasure to say the least. In fact, the discipline required to do something which I really didn’t enjoy was causing me to feel stressed. It became counter productive, therefore it wasn’t long before I joyfully abstained!

Nowadays, I have a better understanding of the relationship between good health, a sensible diet and keeping fit through regular enjoyable exercise, and of course, maintaining a level of inner happiness integrated harmoniously within my lifestyle. 

First and top of my list of priorities towards obtaining and maintaining good health is sleep. Eight hours each night. I can get by on far less of course, cant we all?. However, I’m not talking here about “getting by” I’m talking about waking in the morning feeling refreshed and energetic and alert!. Ready to take on the world and all its challenges with maximum vigour, vitality and stamina. That’s exactly what eight hours sleep each night helps me to achieve.

Second is Happiness. By maintaining a high level of inner happiness, (through using methods, on a daily basis that I have shared with you) my health is automatically improved. Happiness  helps to create within the body, positive enzymes, great for the immune system. Almost like cheating, eh?

Third is laughter. Oh, so good for you. No matter how I feel, I never go through a day without a good laugh, especially at myself. Even laughing in the face of adversity. Now that’s a part of self development that  gets very little attention. Years ago I read of a man who wrote a book, claiming he had cured himself of cancer, through laughing. Whether it was factual or not is immaterial. The point I am trying to make here is how important laughter is in helping towards the promotion of good health, let alone making you feel good in the very moment you are laughing. Go on, you try it. Go and have a look in a mirror at the expression on your face right now!!! Ha ha ha ha. I just don't take life too seriously. After all, reality is simply perception, mainly based in illusion, in the deepest sense that is. Hmmm?

Fourth is an important combination of Exercise, diet, water and pleasure! I’ll explain. At least twice a week, I pick up my back pack. In it goes a litre of Evian water, at least six granary bread sandwiches, filled with lettuce, tomatoes, onions, chicken (plus a little salad cream) and an apple. In goes a pair of wellies and a rolled up blanket! (always prepared for a great paddle in a stream, or a sit down to relax, meditate, or snack.)   I put on a pair of walking boots and head off for a stroll in the hills. I let my mood decide where I go. (See Emotions and Nature) I may go for a couple of hours, or I may go for a whole day. Weekends are of course the most convenient. I stroll for about six or seven miles, sometimes more, simply enjoying being amongst the surrounding countryside.

What I’m achieving is this. I’m exercising not just my body but my  whole being in an enjoyable and rewarding manner, amongst Nature, being aware of feeling the effects of its healing power and beauty. I’m also gaining beneficial cardiovascular exercise. My diet for the day is healthy, nutritious, sustaining and very tasty. The copious amounts of water I drink helps to refresh, maintain and cleanse my body. Also, whilst visiting chosen places, in solitude, I can be myself, and am able to choose, if I wish, to deal with certain thoughts or emotions without distraction. I am gaining (and appreciating) on a physical, psychological and spiritual level the synergy of  maintaining the great health of my body, mind and spirit. So simple, yet so rich in its rewards. See? Men can multi task after all!!

Of course, there is far more to the relationship between food and good health, than I have mentioned here.  Generally speaking though, I find the more unrefined and natural foods I eat, including salads, fresh vegetables and fruit, the better I feel, and the healthier I am. Water is so very important too. I personally enjoy Evian, and drink it regularly. I believe it has great healing power in its ability to “flush out” and help cleanse the body of many toxins. However, and I must emphasize this point, I don’t take my diet too seriously. I certainly am not a health food fanatic. I still enjoy the odd “McDonalds” or “Burger King,” an Indian Meal Takeaway now and again, or Fish and Chips.  Bacon and Eggs on a Sunday morning is simply Heaven, and the occasional  glass of wine in an evening is most enjoyable. That old saying “Everything in Moderation” is so true.

Fifth is music. I make certain somehow, to find the time to put my feet up, close my eyes, and just listen to some calm, relaxing, soothing, healing music… mmmmm… yeaahhhh! Or….. sometimes, its just nice to sit and relax undisturbed, in total silence… zzzzz zzzzz zzzzz zzzzz zzzzz zzzz!!!!