Key Takeaways
- There are some basic things we all need for our well-being.
- These six necessities are the foundation of good health.
- Take a moment to evaluate whether you get enough of these to stay healthy and strong.
Back in the late 1960s, NASA researched the issue of getting clean air in spacecraft – and keeping it clean for long periods of time. They studied plants and discovered that there were three species of plants, mainly ivy-type plants, that cleaned 97% of carcinogens out of the air. These carcinogens are the result of off-gassing from materials such as paint, carpeting, cleaning products, and other materials.
Toxins such as these aren’t just a NASA issue – they’re present in our homes, of course. Where is this leading? Well, clean air is one of six fundamental things we all need for good health. The other five are the sun, water, nutrition, sleep, and exercise. Let’s take a brief look at each of these.
1. Air – Clean air is so important, but we sometimes breathe in more pollutants than we realize. Our own homes can have poor air quality, due to things like air fresheners, cooking, woodburning fireplaces, and off-gassing from various materials. It’s important to open windows when you can to allow fresh air inside. Having some indoor plants to help clean the air is helpful too.
2. Sun – We all need vitamin D to stay healthy, and the sun is a source of vitamin D. Try getting outdoors each day to soak up some sun, especially in the early morning or later in the afternoon, when the sun’s rays aren’t as strong and damaging to skin.
3. Water – We can’t live without water, but sometimes we just don’t drink as much as we need. Make sure you’re drinking enough and that it’s good, clean water. Reverse osmosis is a way to help ensure you’re drinking water that’s had impurities removed, and these filters are pretty simple to get installed in homes.
4. Nutrition – An important basis of nutrition is really limiting sugar, especially processed, simple sugars. These empty calories spike your blood sugar and cause you to feel hungry again soon after eating them. There’s a lot to be said about good nutrition, so make sure you’re giving your body good fuel to keep healthy.
5. Sleep – This is a big one and most people need between six and eight hours of sleep each night. If you can get a solid night’s sleep, you’ll usually find you feel great the next day.
6. Exercise – If you exercise in the morning, it helps to clear your lymphatic system, something that’s important to do after you’ve been lying still all night, gathering toxins. It’s a more natural way to feel awake and alert than drinking coffee is. Make sure to exercise your body each day – whether that’s going for a bike ride, playing tennis, doing yoga, or just going for a walk around the neighborhood, find something you enjoy doing and be consistent in getting that activity in.
So do a quick inventory of your routines and ask yourself if you’re getting enough of these six things on a regular basis. By doing so, you’ll likely feel more energized and ready to take on your days. Until next time, enjoy.
Gary
If you’d like to read more on this topic, here are a few of Gary’s previous posts that you might enjoy:
Keep Your Brain Healthy, Start Your Day Without the Internet
