By BIS Contributor Dr. Mary Warren
During the 19th and 20th centuries, coal miners used to take canaries into the mines while working.
If the oxygen level in the air dropped to a dangerous level from toxic gases, the canary would die. Signifying the hazardous air situation the miners might not have noticed, they would immediately pack up and leave the mine or start wearing protective respirators.
Do you notice or feel almost everything going on around you? Were you the one in your family that was the most sensitive and generally knew the oxygen level of your surroundings? Perhaps this better describes someone else in your family, a good friend or acquaintance.
I have always joked about painting the walls of my office yellow as a way to have the canaries I see and treat, feel more comfortable. During my Chiropractic education, we were told we would draw people into our practices who we could understand and treat effectively. Being the canary in my family, it might not surprise you to know that I have spent many years learning how to take care of myself in addition to providing care for thousands of others.
Whether you are a canary or simply know someone who is one, self-care is one of the biggest ongoing gifts you can give yourself.
Self-care is an investment in your wellbeing and will pay off with huge dividends now and as you age. I think that self-care doesn’t need to be complex and I like to say that, “Simples works!” We live in a world with constant stimulation and unending choices that keep us active and in motion, so having a baseline approach for self-care that’s simple is a great strategy. You may be thinking, “okay, what are these simple steps?” So, here is my short list that will improve your good health and increase your happiness:
Clean up your diet.
Reduce inflammation producing foods such as: fast and fried foods, preservatives and artificial colorings and sweeteners – this supports healthy nutrient delivery to your body by your gut. Try to minimize dairy, sugar, wheat, soy and corn – I have found these to be the most common food allergens. Focus on a plant based diet, while eating free roaming poultry and eggs, pastured meat and wild fish.
Drink half your body weight per day in ounces of filtered water every day.
This supports healthy waste elimination, good lymphatic flow and makes your skin look amazing.
Engage in exercise or movement at least 20 – 30 minutes a day.
This brings about balance by putting A+ information into your nervous and musculoskeletal systems.
Sleep 7– 9 hours each night.
This supports healthy regeneration of nervous system tissue, allows your adrenal glands to rest and keeps you bright while functioning optimally.
There are more choices to incorporate for taking good care of yourself and improving your wellbeing, and while I employ additional healthy steps in my practice and my own life, I believe in getting good at the basics.
So employ these that I have listed about and see how you look and feel in the coming months. I’m sure your friends and family will compliment you on your improved appearance and you will find that you can weather life’s storms more easily.
Even if you’re not a canary, all women need Tender Loving Self-Care!
