I love the website Well+Good NYC. I am sharing their (awesome) highlights of the book Integrative Wellness Rules: A Simple Guide to Healthy Living which they called 9 Wellness Rules of Exceptionally Healthy People by Carla Vass. (Note: text and a few links have been modified/added by me!)
9 Wellness Rules of Exceptionally Healthy People
1. Hang out with positive people and “movers-and-shakers”.
Spend time with folks who have the habits you want – positivity is contagious!
2. Take a break from your “militant” diet and exercise regimen.
If you never, ever indulge, that’s not living well. Take Sunday off and you’ll wake up eager to get back on track Monday morning.
3. Get back to (or into) nature
Get outside – even if it is for a walk during your lunch break – and into a park or rural setting when you have a chance!
4. Practice “Hari Hachi Bu”
This is the Japanese practice for eating until you’re 80 percent full, which is helpful because we’ve all heard that it takes about 20 minutes for our brains to catch up with our stomachs. Eating less is not only associated with avoiding weight gain (duh) but also longer lives. (Check out “the Okinawa Diet” HERE.)
5. Double Your Ds
Vitamin D, that is! Particularly on those dreary winter days, it’s important to get enough vitamin D. Docs used to only think vitamin D was good for bones, but new research has associated it with preventing a host of maladies, such as obesity, high blood pressure, diabetes, and depression.
6. Try some Tulsi
Known as holy basil, this herb has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for thousands of years (mystics believed it fostered personal growth and enlightenment). Usually sipped in tea or taken in supplement form, tulsi is full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. Even better, tulsi also lowers cortisol, the hormone associated with stress and belly fat.
7. Eat your ‘shrooms
But not the conventional kind (and certainly not the, ahem, other kind). Shiitake, enoki, oyster, and maitake boost immune system activity and have anti-inflammatory properties. They’ve been used in Chinese medicine for thousands of years and are getting more recognition as health-boosters in the West. Need a recipe?
8. Hit some HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)
Short bursts of activity have been shown to be even more effective at burning fat than prolonged periods of exercise. That’s really good news for those barely able to find the time to exercise as it is. (Check out THIS INFOGRAPHIC from the Greatist for ideas and tips!)
9. Know your “trigger points”
Everyone has a tendency to overuse certain muscles, whether they’re related to your desk work or your workout. It’s important to be aware of your trigger points, which can lead to pain, stiffness, and limit your range of motion and use massage and stretching to prevent injury. (HERE are some self accupressure tips.)
For more on integrative wellness rules, check out the book details here.
Interested in more great wellness books? Check out Well+Good’s 7 Best Wellness Books for 2013
Another thing that is good for your health and overall wellness is WINNING! The winners of my Be My Valentine and “like” me giveaway are:
1. Sapna -she chose the “Laugh Often” Tees for Change shirt
2. Lindsay – she chose the “Live Courageously” Tees for Change shirt
3. Stacy – she chose the “Inspire Change” Tees for Change shirt
4. Jeff P. – he gets smartwool glove liners
5. Kim – she chose smartwool glove liners
6. Jason H. – he gets smartwool glove liners (and not just because he says we never pick him either – random number generator had his back!)
7. Amy – she gladly accepted the remaining “Live Mindfully” Tees for Change shirt (with great enthusiasm that made my day AND today is her birthday WIN-WIN!)
PS. If you didn’t win, you can buy tees HERE. Use coupon code RED2013 at checkout to receive 20% off any Formula One Red or Love shirts. For every red shirt purchased, $1.00 will be donated to the American Heart Association.
Have a great day, all!