How many people do you know who are really healthy? They have natural energy and a glow about them that just radiates good health? If your having trouble thinking of many people you know like that you are not alone.

Despite spending more money per person than any other country the United States statistically lags far behind world rankings for overall health and well being.  Our TV ads are peppered with ads for medicines promising to manage chronic diseases. Our social media feeds are covered with ads for the latest fad diet, supplement or workout program that promises us restored health and yet many people just don’t see the results they want.

I have spent years working with nutrition, supplementation, life style changes and chiropractic care and I know that good health is possible. High energy levels are possible. And you don’t need to take medication, eat exotic herbs or work out 5 times a day to achieve it.  That being said you will need to fully commit to becoming healthy. Paying lip service to a healthy diet or taking supplements for 2 weeks then quitting won’t get you any closer to feeling how you want to feel.  These are my top recommendations for common sense steps to improving your health and experiencing higher energy. Start doing these regularly and you almost can’t help but feel better, have more energy and start to move towards a healthier overall state.

1.Exercise Daily
Most of us don’t move enough.  Sedentary lifestyles are as much a risk of disease as smoking and if you don’t use it, you will lose it. A 30 minute walk, a yoga session, weight lifting, shooting hoops. Whatever you like to do, do it! It needs to be enough to get your heart rate up and ideally break a sweat to get the most benefits from exercise and it needs to be regular.  Getting regular exercise improves circulation, helps regulate mood and keeps weight in check.  This one is absolutely critical if you want to be healthy.  Don’t skip this one.

2. Eat Less Sugar

Look, we eat too much sugar.  That’s the reason diabetes is skyrocketing in the USA and diabetes increases your risk of just about every chronic health condition known to man. Heart disease, cancer, obesity, you name it and high blood sugar increases the odds you will get it.  Limit the sugar you get to natural sources like berries, watermelon or other fruits.  Ditch the soda, candy, cookies, breads and other high carb (high sugar) foods and you will feel better. Like almost the same day. Seriously.

3. Filter Your Water

Tap water is not healthy. The reason is it is loaded with a mixture of pesticide residues, medication metabolites and anything else that gets dumped in rivers or flushed down toilets.  Heck, fish in some rivers  are starting to show both male and female characteristics due to high levels of estrogen like compounds in the water from medications people take.  A high level filter (Think Aquasauna or something similar) will pull out almost of the chemicals in tap water leaving you with a much healthier glass of water.  At the very least use a Britta or something but make sure to filter your water.

4. See Your Chiropractor

Yes, you need to do this.  Your body uses your nervous system to communicate with itself.  Any pressure on the nerves decreases the ability of the body to sense and respond to it’s environment.  All it takes is 1-2 adjustments a month to make sure you body is functioning as near 100% as it can. Its easy to do and you will notice a difference in how you feel almost instantly.

5. Get 7-8 Hours of Sleep Each Night

Sleep is when your body regenerates.  There is no way around this one.  If you are not getting enough sleep each night then you are slowly wearing out your body one night at a time.  Our bodies can work miracles but if you put 16 hours of hard work in during the day and are not sleeping 7-8 hours and letting your body fix tissue damage, replenish hormones and enzymes and other needed repairs then your asking for trouble.  If you have problems falling asleep try this smoothie recipe about 30 minutes before bed. The ingredients provide the nutrients your body needs to produce melatonin, the hormone needed for sound sleep.

6. Take a Probiotic

Probiotics are bacteria that normally live in the human digestive tract, specifically in the small intestine and colon.  It is important to take a high quality probiotic because if you have ever taken an anti-biotic your gut flora is compromised.  Overgrowth of “bad bacteria” in the gut cause stomach pain and bloating with meals, acid reflux and can contribute to many other digestive issues.  FYI, the bad bacteria also LOVE sugar so if you needed another reason to cut back on sugar this is it!  Replacing the “good bacteria” found in probiotic supplements re-balances the gut bacteria and improves digestion and nutrient assimilation. If you live in the modern world, you need a probiotic.

7. Do 1 Thing Each Day to Reduce Stress

Stress kills.  Some sources estimate that stress is the underlying cause of upwards of 90% of illnesses diagnosed in the US each year. Why is this? Well, when your under stress your body shifts blood and nutrients out of the core organs and into the muscles. This is done because your body is anticipating a “fight or flight” response.  The problem with modern life is the things that stress out modern humans (bills, schedules, work commitments, etc…) are not things you can fight or run away from , like say a saber tooth tiger.  These slow burn stresses go on and on and if we don’t learn to manage them they burn out our natural defense systems because so little energy is going towards things like digestion, muscle and soft tissue repair, reproduction, etc… Simply put when under stress your body doesn’t get the opportunity to repair itself and its anyone’s guess when it will break down and where.

If you need help with any of these 7 ways to improve your health we are here to help. Call us at 715-246-7500 or message us on Facebook. We can help you set up a plan to improve your health and point you in the right direction with nutrition, exercise, chiropractic and more.  Don’t wait, call or message now! You can find good health in the modern world.