Pursuing Health by Getting Back to Basics

By Dr. Shannon Sinsheimer, N.D.

The pursuit of health can often lead us to experiment with many different products and regimes. We try new fad diets that have made recent headlines, try the best new supplement with super antioxidant power from an exotic berry, and even buy machines that promise results of a perfect body in ten minutes or less a day.  While many new innovations have validity and produce results that stay true to their claims, it is often easy to get lost in a sea of products taunting unrealistic health goals. To get back to the basics it is time to forgo your super potent, high antioxidant new supplement, ten minute rock hard ab roller and potato-pasta free diet.  Achieving optimal wellness means consistent, basic self-healthcare and not one ‘perfect miracle product’.

A balanced state of health typically means you have energy, mood stability, peaceful sleep, a general state of happiness and are heading towards longevity.  This is found in the food we eat, the air we breathe, our thoughts, our body movement, and the quality of daily life we’ve created for ourselves. Each one of these factors can be altered and with baby steps we can work through each one until our lifestyle and habits are our best medicine. There are a few basic supplements that can gently enhance our efforts but none that can replace it.

The food we eat is essential to our actual physical and mental well being. The key is to eat a variety of simple, nourishing foods and to enjoy the taste of the food without overindulging. Include vegetables at every meal - even breakfast. Replace quick cooking carbs with whole grains and eat fruit as dessert instead of sugar products.

When looking at your plate you should see a variety of colors.  Eat and chew slowly, and stop before you feel full. By eating a variety of whole foods you increase your consumption of a broader range of nutrients. Without overindulging you will feel energized instead of tired after meals.  Also, by reducing simple carbs and sugar and choosing organic whenever possible, you can reduce certain health risks.

Proper breathing is an acquired skill that few of us utilize. To properly breath you must inhale slowly through the nose, filling your lungs from the very bottom of your belly up into the tiptop of your chest. Exhale slowly through your mouth in a slow whisper. Deeper breathing allows us to really gain the type of oxygen our body is craving, and by breathing deeply we actually induce automatic physiological stress reduction. Throughout the day stop to notice your breath patterns and take a moment to enjoy some deeper breaths. Notice the change you feel after just one long deep breath; more centered, relaxed, and focused.  

Our thoughts contribute to our mood and our daily outlook on life. Thoughts can feel random and uncontrolled, but we possess the power to change our thought patterns thereby altering our perceptions about our daily life and overall sense of well being. Our thoughts begin to roll as soon as we wake in the morning. Rather than jumping out of bed and rushing into the day, give yourself a few minutes to contemplate how you will take on the day. Replace any negative thoughts and fear with positive images, positive thoughts or mantras.  Think about the simple things that make you feel happy, and picture yourself smiling and enjoying the events of the day that are about to come.

At night before bed, think about what you are most grateful for.  This will help to relax your mind in a positive state before sleeping.  Using deep breathing while adjusting your thoughts is extremely beneficial.  Without changing anything beyond your pattern of thinking you will feel happier and more content, lowering  your blood pressure and boosting your immune system.

Moving our body everyday allows for better physical stamina and flexibility.  Exercise does not have to be a powerful sweat workout at the gym. It can be as simple as walking or biking rather than driving to your errands, stretching or light yoga, or working in the garden. Incorporating any activity we enjoy as part of our daily routine means less gym time to burn off extra calories and maintain physical health.

When searching for new ways and miracle products to achieve better health, first consider the way your health can change when you alter a few minor aspects of your day to day life. Eating a more nutritious diet, breathing to promote relaxation, altering thought patterns, and bringing physical movement into daily activities can dramatically alter the way you feel both mentally and physically.  A greatly improved state of health can be gained in the most basic and natural ways.

Dr. Sinsheimer is a State Licensed Naturopath and can be reached at 760-309-8620.