Healthy Nutrition
My definition of “fundamental nourishment” needed for health is different from what you might think. Of course the food we eat contributes to our health. But even more important is the major components of our lifestyle: Relationships, Occupation, Activity and Spirituality. If those aspects of our lives are not giving us satisfaction, there is a gap between what we hope for out of life, and what we actually are experiencing.
When there exists a “satisfaction gap” in our lives, we have choices. Either we can accept our life in its present state or strive to close the satisfaction gap by making fundamental changes in our lifestyle. The former requires a strong sense of “my life is enough”, or sufficiency which can be challenging. The latter requires major changes in one’s life, which also can be challenging and may require fundamental changes and hard work.
The Satisfaction Gap leads to stress, a chronic “Fight, flight or freeze” state which leads to the release of stress hormones, catecholamines like adrenaline, which if secreted in excess can lead to disease. Obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cancer and heart disease can result if this high stress state is not reduced or eliminated.
Successful self care occurs by either accepting the gap between what we hope for ourselves and our actual life situation, or by working to close the gap by lifestyle changes. Self destructive behaviors and addictions can result if we cannot close our satisfaction gap in terms of our relationships, occupation, activity or spirituality.
Let me give you an example of this somewhat complicated concept. Let’s take relationships, which must be healthy, nurturing and honest in order for us to optimize our health and wellness. Unhealthy relationships lead to stress and disease, while healthy relationships are a major contributor to health and longevity.
If you are not happy, or satisfied, with the state of your health, it is worthwhile to take a look at your essential nourishment (relationships, occupation, activity and spirituality) and honestly examine whether or not these aspects of your life are up to your expectations and satisfaction. If they are not, decide whether you are content with your current state or if you need to begin to take measures to improve these aspects of your life. Health/Life Coaching can be very helpful in identifying and fine tuning these essential aspects of nourishment!
In health,
Dr. John Monaco
MONACO Wellness
(813)541-6440
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