The Building Blocks to Health
How many times have you heard people say, ‘I’ve changed a whole bunch of things, but my health hasn’t improved?’ So what’s missing? The answer is that the approach taken to address the health concern didn’t include all the basic building blocks to health.
By Iva Lloyd, RPP, RHN, ND
There are eight basic building blocks to health. These are the components that provide the fuel and structure for the body to function. Building blocks are lifestyle habits that influence all stages of life, and all stages of health and disease. The way and degree to which a person incorporates all the building blocks into his or her life will influence a person’s ability to sustain or achieve health. The eight building blocks are:
• Posture
• Rest and sleep
• Movement
• Food
• Water
• Expression of emotions
• Breathing
• Positive mental outlook
Posture represents the ability of the body to maintain structure and form. An aligned posture provides open and straight pathways for the flow of energy, nutrients and fluid. When posture is not aligned, it is similar to a kink in a hose. Poor posture causes stress on other organs and tissues, and can result in pain or stiffness – and it is a contributing factor to many diseases. To check if your posture is aligned, stand against a wall – your head, shoulder blades, hips (posterior superior iliac spine) and back of your feet should be touching the wall, with only enough space in the small of your back for your flat hand.
Rest and sleep represent the body’s ability to slow down, to heal and to grow. Sleep is a complex activity that is vital to mental, physical and emotional health. Sometimes the solution is simply to spend more time resting and sleeping. If that doesn’t work, start by looking at lifestyle factors that may be contributing to the problem, such as thinking too much, a lack of or too much exercise, consuming too many stimulants like caffeine, or not sleeping in a room that is dark enough – and make changes here first.
Movement is about the body’s flexibility and range of motion. It is required for every process and aspect of health. Many physical symptoms are triggered by the lack of internal movement of blood, lymphatics, nutrients or water. Physical movement is an important factor in maintaining internal movement. The body needs to move. The concept of ‘use it or lose it’ is very true when it comes to movement. There are many different types of movement. Overall, the body requires horizontal movement (such as walking) and vertical movement (such as rebounding or bouncing) on a daily basis to maintain health. When it comes to exercise, it is also beneficial to choose an exercise program that complements your life versus mirrors it. For example, if your life is sedentary, choose exercise that is more aerobic and active; if your life is very busy and chaotic, choose exercise that is calmer, such as stretching, yoga or pilates.
Food is more than protein, carbohydrates and fats. It is the primary way that we nurture ourselves and it supplies the basic fuel for the body. Food assists in healing, influences your health, mood and energy on a daily basis, and can contribute to a wide range of diseases. There is a difference between good food and food that is good for you. When it comes to selecting the best food for you, the first step is to get a sense of how you feel after a meal. A meal that is nutritious and good for you will increase your energy and won’t cause any digestive problems. If you feel sluggish or have any digestive concerns, chances are your body is having problems with what you are eating, and it would be beneficial to work with a health practitioner to figure out what food is best for you.
Water is one of the most common and essential components in the body. The body is over 70% water. It is a life-sustaining and life-giving substance that is required for every living function and structure. Without sufficient water on a regular basis, the body soon becomes dehydrated. This affects energy, health and longevity. A general rule of thumb for calculating how much water you need is to consume half your body weight in ounces each day. Keep in mind that only water is water. Coffee, soft drinks and many fruit juices are actually dehydrating.
Expression of emotions. Health is most easily maintained when people feel safe and able to express their emotions. When there is a difference between what a person feels inside and what he or she expresses, chaos is created. This chaos contributes to disease. For example, if a person is unhappy with his or her marriage, job or life – he or she will feel depressed. This depression is a true reflection of their life. When a recommended or chosen treatment tries to make someone content in a situation that is not healthy, the imbalance often worsens.
Breathing represents the ability of the body to take oxygen to every cell of the body and to remove carbon dioxide. It is the only activity that you do throughout your whole life, both consciously and unconsciously. Most people don’t breathe properly. Try this exercise. When you are sitting straight with both feet on the ground, put one hand on your upper chest and one on your lower abdomen, and then take a deep breath. Your top hand should stay still and the hand on your lower abdomen should move forward. Proper breathing is about taking deep slow breaths into your lower abdomen. Proper breathing is one of the most effective ways of calming the nervous system, and is an essential component of any symptoms or conditions involving the lung or respiratory system.
The mind influences every aspect of health and disease. The mind is like the master controller of the body. It can restore health on its own, it can intensify the impact of subtle interventions, and it can nullify the impact of an extensive treatment. Over the next few generations, the focus of the mind in healing will become one of the greatest areas of research and study. A person’s mind chatter, mental state, outlook on life, beliefs, and ability to work with his or her mind to address areas of stress and achieve health outcomes is one of the most important contributors to health.
For some, health is achieved by addressing a few building blocks that currently aren’t part of their lifestyle. For others, it involves a dramatic shift. When the basic building blocks are part of your lifestyle, there is a greater chance that the body will be able to prevent disease, heal and promote ongoing health with more ease, thus providing a better quality of life.
Water is one of the most common and essential components in the body. The body is over 70% water. It is a life-sustaining and life-giving substance that is required for every living function and structure. Without sufficient water on a regular basis, the body soon becomes dehydrated. This affects energy, health and longevity. A general rule of thumb for calculating how much water you need is to consume half your body weight in ounces each day. Keep in mind that only water is water. Coffee, soft drinks and many fruit juices are actually dehydrating.
Expression of emotions. Health is most easily maintained when people feel safe and able to express their emotions. When there is a difference between what a person feels inside and what he or she expresses, chaos is created. This chaos contributes to disease. For example, if a person is unhappy with his or her marriage, job or life – he or she will feel depressed. This depression is a true reflection of their life. When a recommended or chosen treatment tries to make someone content in a situation that is not healthy, the imbalance often worsens.
Breathing represents the ability of the body to take oxygen to every cell of the body and to remove carbon dioxide. It is the only activity that you do throughout your whole life, both consciously and unconsciously. Most people don’t breathe properly. Try this exercise. When you are sitting straight with both feet on the ground, put one hand on your upper chest and one on your lower abdomen, and then take a deep breath. Your top hand should stay still and the hand on your lower abdomen should move forward. Proper breathing is about taking deep slow breaths into your lower abdomen. Proper breathing is one of the most effective ways of calming the nervous system, and is an essential component of any symptoms or conditions involving the lung or respiratory system.
The mind influences every aspect of health and disease. The mind is like the master controller of the body. It can restore health on its own, it can intensify the impact of subtle interventions, and it can nullify the impact of an extensive treatment. Over the next few generations, the focus of the mind in healing will become one of the greatest areas of research and study. A person’s mind chatter, mental state, outlook on life, beliefs, and ability to work with his or her mind to address areas of stress and achieve health outcomes is one of the most important contributors to health.
For some, health is achieved by addressing a few building blocks that currently aren’t part of their lifestyle. For others, it involves a dramatic shift. When the basic building blocks are part of your lifestyle, there is a greater chance that the body will be able to prevent disease, heal and promote ongoing health with more ease, thus providing a better quality of life.
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