Tips For A Happy And Healthy Life
We Are What We Eat
We are what we eat and drink – both the mind and the body are affected by what we consume. When depressed or stressed, we often resort to ‘comfort foods’ such as biscuits, cakes and chocolate, or dull our inner pain through alcohol and other mind-altering substances. Such relief is only temporary and, in the long run, it can compound our problems by creating dependency, addiction and serious health challenges such as obesity, diabetes and heart or liver conditions.
Along with comfort foods, many dieticians recommend that we reduce or eliminate our consumption of what are often called the ‘four white poisons’ i.e. processed sugar, salt, flour and rice. Such foods have little nutritional value and generate a lot of acid in the body (cancer cells thrive in acid).
Ideally we also need to avoid animal products, not just for the benefit of animals and the environment but also for our own peace of mind. As animals are killed in a state of fear and tension, their flesh is filled with adrenaline, other toxic chemicals and negative vibrations which, when consumed by humans, do actually affect our mind as well as our body.
With regards drink, it is healthier to drink water rather than alcohol and caffeine-based drinks. The UK’s National Health Service advises drinking between six to eight glasses of fluid a day, including lower fat milk, sugar-free drinks, tea and coffee.
When considering these issues it is important not to feel guilty or bad about our struggle with food and drink. We are on a journey of self-discovery.
When we understand and deal with the underlying issues that drive our unhealthy consumption choices, we will find the strength and determination to look after ourselves in better ways.
In the meantime, we can be kind to ourselves and take small steps in the right direction. For example by putting one less spoon of white sugar in each cup of tea or coffee we drink. Gradually, over time, we will build up our confidence and self-discipline and resist the constant bombardments of the advertising industry.
How To Sleep Better
Good quality sleep is essential. Many of us do not sleep well, particularly women who are expected to be ‘super’ in all aspects of their busy lives. Some people find it difficult to get off to sleep, others wake up during the night worrying about things, or wake up early in the morning and cannot get back to sleep.
To help us sleep better we can:
- Remove the television from the bedroom. If we fall asleep with the television on, the sound of the programmes, which are usually of a sexual or violent nature late at night, will penetrate our subconscious and disturb our peace of mind
- Prepare mentally for going to bed by relaxing for 30 minutes beforehand. We can have a bath, listen to soothing music, read something light, do some gentle stretching exercises, massage ourselves
- Review the day and finish on a high note by thinking of something positive that happened during the day
- Avoid caffeine and other stimulants in the evening and instead drink warm water or chamomile tea
- Keep paper and pen by our bedside. If we wake up in the night worried about something we have forgotten to do, we can write it down and then relax and go back to sleep.