Common Sense Living

"Variety" and "Moderation" are the Keys to a Good Life

Most of our diseases today are diseases of excess, resulting from a lifestyle that has been driven beyond reason. Too much work, too much food, too much stress and then, to compensate, too much drinking or bungee jumping or whatever it is you do to either feel alive or else not feel your pain. We're pushed by the media to never be satisfied, pushed by our bosses at work to produce more and by society in general to be more and do more and have more, without regard to the limitations of our humanity. Let's get off the merry-go-round, shall we?

What do we actually need for a contented, healthy life? It's not necessarily what we want because wants are endless, whereas needs have a limited number. Advertisers know this and all they have to do is turn on your desires of "I want it" to make another sale or keep you dissatisfied with your life unless you get their product.

"Know thyself", I think, means to listen inward to your true needs. As best I can figure, the following are the indispensable ingredients for survival: enough sunshine, clean air, pure water, natural food, regular elimination, refreshing sleep, adequate movement, rewarding relationships with self and others (love), appropriate re-creation, proportionate responsibility and contentment. They feed you on the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual planes. For a wholesome and satisfied life, make sure these are the best quality.

There are many body typing methods which will help you get in touch with your needs, such as Blood type, Ayurvedic typing, Metabolic typing etc. These will help you recognize how much protein you actually need to feel good, what kind of physical activities are right for you and so on. Know what gives you joy and what upsets you then maximize the former and minimize the latter. Take responsibility for your own body, it is your most prized possession. Without it, you're nothing. It is not your enemy; it is your greatest ally. Give your body the love and nourishment it needs and you will have a long, happy life.

Spend at least 20 minutes in the open air daily. Even if it doesn't appear to be sunny, there is reflected light. Sunshine metabolizes vitamin D, a synergist to calcium which is essential in blood and bones. Sunshine also picks us the spirit and connects you with all that is living. Breathe deeply and slowly from your abdomen to oxygenate your body. At home use a good air purifier to keep your indoor air clean. Today's homes are highly polluted with energy efficient seals keeping in mold, dust and off-gassing chemicals from carpeting, paint, cabinets.

Everything that goes into your body is processed, utilized and the waste discarded. Your skin, lungs, bladder and intestines are your organs of elimination. Make sure they all function properly and you're not storing toxins. Work up a sweat now and then. Check the frequency, color, consistency and odor of your urine and stool. Get used to what they're like when you're healthy so you recognize changes when you feel unwell. Make adjustments in your diet to correct them. It makes sense to have as many stools daily as you have meals. Animals do.

Movement is essential for good health. Lymph fluids, which carry large molecules to feed the body and carry away waste, are pumped through the body by movement. This could be exercise, gardening, walking, and sports. It could be as little as bouncing on a rebounder (trampoline) for a few minutes a day or as much as rock climbing. Your body knows what you need. If you are not aware of it, use a body typing method to figure out what your movement needs are. Or you can just remember what you liked to do when you were a kid.

Make sure you get the amount of sleep you need to wake up refreshed. This varies individually between 5-9 hours. The hours before midnight are said to be most valuable, though some people are night owls and do well with late sleep/late waking.

Likewise essential is to have rewarding relationships with yourself, your family and friends, work and the workplace, your God, Higher Power, Universe or whatever you believe in. These relationships can nourish you or drain your energy and life force. Work out the kinks so your relationships are nurturing and supportive of your being. Stay away from people who bleed your energy.

Take a break or you can burn yourself out. Some people need quiet time daily to refresh themselves, some people enjoy others so much they don't feel the need for aloneness. But all people need time away from work and responsibilities to re-store their reserves and re-create themselves. You can take it in small installments or you can go somewhere for a week or two. Use some of your time to renew your connection with nature: garden, or hold a fishing rod. People with deep connections to nature live longer.

Common sense living • Common sense eating • Common sense water Essential proteins • Protein content of foods • Essential fats
Carbs and sugars • Digestive sense

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