New Year, New Health

From the pages of A Legitimate Journey by Kathleen D. Hamilton

Why can grief affect our physical health? Studies show that grief does compromise the immune system, leaving the door open for illness to take hold. It is possible for grief to lower the white cell count, increasing the probabilities of various maladies to rear their ugly heads, i.e.: colds, viruses’ high blood pressure and possible heart problems. Prolonged immune disorders increase risks and affect the overall health and physical well-being of people all the time. When physical health suffers, spiritual health suffers as well.

There are not many people who totally escape grief in one form or another. We all have trials, and getting through those trials can sometimes be a daunting task, however, to achieve good health it is important to be able to have the energy to move through them and return to a joyful life. Grief and many trials rob of us energy and can set us up for depression, stress related illnesses and feelings of hopelessness.

As the New Year begins, and we decide to get our health in check, here are some things to keep in mind.

During grief and just life in general, it takes more than calories to keep us alive and thriving. God designs our bodies to heal. Just as it is essential to feed the soul with uplifting and positive input, it is essential to feed the body with clean natural foods. Learning what to eat and what not to eat is crucial in a crisis. Too many people during grief are literally taken into bondage with ill health because they don’t take the time to eat right.

We live in a world of fast foods, quick microwaveable meals and soda pop. We always seem to fall back on the easy things and wonder why we fall into a state of dis-ease. It’s easier to pop pills for our pain,  eat foods that are full of toxins and chemicals to preserve their shelf life, than it is to take the time to prepare foods that will build us. We also eat out of cans where the nutrients and enzymes have been removed so there is not enough nutrition in them to keep us alive for long let alone heal us.

Our bodies were created with the ability to heal and restore, but not if we neglect to give them the proper nutrition.

So what kind of New Year’s resolutions should we make if our goal is to return to good health? Go beyond what you need to do to lose weight and remember that optimal health is the goal.

Take a look at nature and let it inspire you to know what is best for your body. Eat abundantly live whole foods, try to breathe clean air, drink clean water and avoid as many toxins as you can because many are the culprits that make your liver work harder. The liver is responsible for cleansing your blood and balancing your minerals. You overwork your liver by consuming too many toxins, therefore, decreasing its ability to cleanse your body and rebuild your cells.

Trying to stay clear of too many man made altered foods, and adding naturally grown fruits and vegetables to your diet along with beans, nuts and seeds are a good step forward to rebuilding and repairing your wonderfully designed body.

Here’s hoping for a new healthy year!