Well Being Defined
By Kimberly Harden

     Once a friend and I were discussing health and he said, “Should you never know what you didn’t get!”  What this implies is that we stay healthy by taking an active role in our wellness.  It now takes more than an apple a day to keep the doctor away.  We need to take responsibility for our long-term well being by investing in it today.  We invest in our retirements, why not our health?  As the old adage says, “If you don’t have your health you don’t have anything.”
     There are four areas that impact our health everyday.  Just the smallest changes in these areas can give a large return on investment towards our health.  These areas are fitness, nutrition, environment, and rest/relaxation.  Small changes you can make include:
     Did you know that the simplest and cheapest form of exercise might be the best?  Just walking thirty minutes a day at 3 to 4 mph may reduce the risk of heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.  Walking is also low impact and doesn’t require practice to learn!
     If you think eating a balanced diet takes care of your nutritional needs, unfortunately you are wrong.  Our soils are depleted, and foods from the earth are harvested early.  They are harvested before they can fully develop in the soil and obtain the nutrients we need.  A good nutritional supplement is a must these days.
     The environment today contains lots of pollutants.  Invest in a good water filtration system.  Our bodies want good things, but not the extras found in our water these days.
     Lastly, make sure you are receiving adequate amounts of good sleep!  It is the most important thing you can do for yourself.  Everyday 13 million Americans say they did not sleep well the night before.  It is during your stage 4 REM sleep that our bodies restore and energize.  This boosts our immune systems and keeps us healthy.
     These are four important areas to improve your health, and four small ways to maintain and improve your well being.
Here’s to health!

Kimberly Harden of Alternative Health Attractions is an independent Nikken Wellness Consultant.