Good health is the cornerstone of a happy life, and medical professionals agree that the key to achieving it lies in a balanced lifestyle. This means eating nutritious meals, getting enough rest, and engaging in regular physical activity to counteract the sedentary habits so common in modern societies. As a physician, I use both conventional and functional medicine practices, as well as acupuncture, to treat my patients. This approach is sometimes referred to as integrative medicine, but I prefer to call it simply good medicine.
Even making small positive changes to your health can have a domino effect, inspiring those around you to do the same. The brain has its own lymphatic system that expels cerebrospinal fluid through gray matter during sleep. This helps keep the brain clean and healthy, but only works when you get enough rest. It's like having a cleaning team that only works the night shift - if you don't let them do their job, it's like having a party one night and not cleaning up the mess the next day.
Waste will start to accumulate and your house will start to deteriorate. For this reason, sleep is not a luxury - it's an essential part of daily maintenance that helps keep your brain sharp and agile. If you're having trouble sleeping, adjusting your exposure to light and darkness is one of the most effective ways to restore your natural sleep patterns. Here are some daily protocols you can follow: Relaxation is also essential for good health, and can be achieved through meditation, mindfulness, breathing exercises, and gentle touch.
Taking time out of your day to relax is not a luxury - it's a necessity for keeping your body in balance. Breathing is another powerful tool for calming the mind and relaxing the body. Most of us take it for granted, but when used intentionally it can be incredibly effective. Try these two breathing exercises next time you need to relax:
- Inhale for 4 seconds
- Exhale for 7-8 seconds
The next time you find yourself overwhelmed by strong emotions such as anger, fear or anxiety, try using 4-7-8 breathing to activate your body's natural calming system. Finally, research has shown that people who live faith-filled lives tend to be healthier, more satisfied with life, and live longer than those who don't. So if faith is part of your life, make sure you take time out of each day to practice it.
