Achieving Healthy Living in Modern Times

Healthy living starts with our mindset. The environment in which we work, eat, sleep and relax affect our health. When the work environment is stressful, the body excretes hormones like cortisol and adrenaline in response to being  angry, shamed and disrespected. These hormones adversely affect our heart (angina), stomach (ulcers) and nervous system (depression).

To maintain good health, we need to learn how to cope with stressful situations. Meditation, exercise, self-rewarding systems, supportive friends and family are the infrastructure for a balanced and healthy life. Meditation is simply quiet time with yourself; in a "hot bath", fishing on a lake , on a Yoga mat in a quiet place,  on your knees in prayer or  jogging along a quite road. Anytime "worries" are dropped and a feeling of calm is dominant without alcohol, you are in meditation.

Once you have mastered your environment, you must examine your diet and nutritional status. Most fast food is nutrient poor and all "sweet" drinks contribute to undesirable body mass. Water should be the "go to drink" and fresh or frozen food should be your staple. Processed foods means that most of nature's best has been removed and artificial ingredients have been added. Avoid unnecessary eating such as snacking and make eating a more social activity. Eating alone may encourage over eating (to finish a serving) and may become a "habit" to cope with an unpleasant emotion.