Let’s face it guys…if you’re not working towards optimal wellness – you’re losing.
It is only when we become truly well…that we realize how sick we’ve truly been.
It is only when we become truly well…that we realize how sick we’ve truly been. If you’re sick and tired of being sick and tired, let’s talk about the four pillars of health.
When we begin pursuing optimal well being, we begin to think clearly. It becomes easier to enter a flow state. We experience success naturally.
This article is part of a larger series detailing out 7 important areas of focus in life and 7 Steps to Make 2022 Your Best Year EVER! Each article takes a deep dive into setting goals in each area of focus.
In the previous article, we reviewed the importance of financial goals and learned some tools and resources to begin taking actionable steps to get our life and our finances back on track.
Today, we are looking at the physical aspect of our lives – and like finances and life in general…our health is complicated. We often neglect our health, end up sick and tired, and when we try to find the “right” path…it’s often times very confusing.
Who can you trust?
In a world where it seems like everyone wants to treat our symptoms instead of treating the root cause of the issue…there appears to be one remaining bastion of hope within the medical industry. Functional Medicine.
Whether you intend to engage a Functional Medicine practitioner or not, one of the core tenants I’ve learned during my own journey is called The Four Pillars of Health – and this is appropriate for anyone from any demographic.
The simplicity of “The Four Pillars of Health” is what sold me. Check it out:
1. Nutrition
2. Movement
3. Sleep
4. Stress
Of those four, if we focus on two: Nutrition and Stress…the others seem to fall in line.
Nutrition
Again…who do you trust? There are so many opinions out there. Vegan, Carnivore, Keto, etc. The best option is to determine what works for YOU.
There is no *right* diet…but there’s a proper human diet.
Personally, I believe a proper human diet consists of food – actual real food. Ideally, if
you can connect with local farmers via farmers markets or through sites such as Local Harvest or Real Milk.
If you are a meat eater, consider pastured meats, preferably grass-fed and *finished*, game meats when available and bison. Consider looking around for a bison farm near
you – you might be surprised.
Processed food is your enemy.
Avoid sugar, caffeine, and alcohol. Yes, it’s difficult.
Spend your money on quality food.
Supplements are worth nothing if you consume garbage food.
Do you want to change or are you satisfied with the mediocrity of your life?
Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired?
The choice is yours.
Movement
Don’t make this difficult.
Incorporating movement into our lives requires habit change. However, you don’t have to become a marathon runner. For beginners who are new to movement and exercise – your concerns about injuring yourself are valid.
Take it easy at first and ease into your new habits.
Consider what your goals and objectives are. Do you want to lose weight? Are you interested in increasing your flexibility and range of motion? Back
pain…want to eliminate that? Depending on what your goals are – your movement routines and habits should align with them to succeed. You do you.
If you feel that you would benefit from the accountability of a partner or community, consider programs that have supportive communities with them such as the Beachbody on Demand or CrossFit.
Or…you could take a gentler approach with something such as Gaia – Streaming Yoga Videos & More. Consistent incorporation of a 25 minute routine in your day can create significant long term change.
Sleep
This may seem self-explanatory, in that sleep more = feel better…but there’s far more to it. The quality of our sleep matters. There are all sorts of metrics, apps, and devices that you can use to monitor your sleep – and if you choose to use them, select according to your goals and objectives for sleep.
Learn about sleep quality and environment. Consider sleeping with smartphones in a separate room and disengage from your screens at least 30 minutes before bed. Creating a routine in the evening and a comfortable environment for your sleep will greatly improve the quality of your sleep and your life.
Good nutrition, incorporation of movement, and avoidance of alcohol will also enhance the quality of your sleep. A consistent wake up time in the mornings, regardless of your bedtime will most likely contribute to an increased ability to stick to a routine and improved long term sleep habits.
Stress
Where do we even begin?
Before we even begin to unpack the stress in our lives and ways to effectively manage it…let’s remember that stress and nutrition are the most important of the four pillars of health.
When we focus on the other three pillars of health – we begin to live a life that transitions away from stress. We begin to experience life in a different way, and we begin to change our perceptions of stress.
As previously stated, we begin to think clearly. We process everything in life differently. We begin to respond instead of reacting. The changes that occur result in less negative stress in life – a balanced life.
During the Functional Medicine process, we are encouraged to work with the in-house “Behavioral Therapist.” The word “therapy” can be a little off-putting to some.
I’m a man! Who needs that?!
Now, I’m not some chest-thumping neanderthal and I’ve seen counselors or therapists over the years – but I did not end up in the Functional Medicine department because of my “feelings.” I was experiencing some serious health issues!
I was sick and tired of being sick and tired.
Initially, I blew it off…and upon another suggestion – I realized I had nothing to lose, and everything to gain. During the recent visits with the Behavioral Therapist, we have discussed some of the different ways in which I am learning to manage my stress more effectively through incorporating the practice of Holistic Psychotherapy.
Personally, I’m glad I’ve kept my skepticism in check – because over the last few months, I’ve learned a lot. Functional Medicine has empowered me to gain
control of my physical health and live deliberately.
The Four Pillars of Health serve as foundation for becoming healthy, vibrant, and living an optimal life. Health isn’t complicated, but it’s easy to get overwhelmed when we think about improving our health.
When we simplify our approach and look at health through the lens of these four pillars, you will find that it is much easier to achieve the results that have always seemed to elude us in the past.
Remember that this is part of a larger series of articles doing a deep dive into seven areas of life: financial, physical, personal development, family, spiritual, social, and career. Share this on social media and surround yourself with those of like mind:
The last article was on finance, this article is on health, and the next will be on personal development. If you like what you read, check out 7 Steps to Make 2022 Your Best Year EVER and the rest of the quality content throughout the Men of Order site to discover your untapped potential and become the leader you were born to be.
