7 Wellness Warriors to Keep You Healthy and Happy!

A half-century ago, Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa directed a film called Seven Samurai in which a farming village hired seven rogues to defend them against bandits who steal their harvest every season. Yule Brenner hired seven gunmen to do the same in the American Southwest, in a remake called The Magnificent Seven. Conceptually, we can see the invading bandits who steal crops as pain, illness, disease, virus, bacteria and so on invading the body and robbing it of its health and the person of its quality of life. With the recent release of The Magnificent Seven reboot film, I wondered if there were seven things we all need to pull together as a working unit in order to protect us and help us maintain health, wellness and improve or maintain our quality of life.

1. Positive mindset

This is where it all begins. Our mindset, outlook or attitude toward life is so vital to health and wellness. How we view the world and our place in it affects our stress, emotions, mental health and ultimately our immune system. Happiness breads wellness because it affects the way we see the world, appreciate what we have, and how we interact with others, which can reduce stress and elevate serotonin levels.

Having an “attitude of gratitude” is another great way to elevate your feelings and wellness. MRI studies showed that feelings of gratitude create neural correlates in the brain that improve mental health and interpersonal relationships. To see how you can put some thought into planning a life that will bring you happiness, love, gratitude, and abundance, read these tips on how to get the life you want.

2. Healthy diet

Food and water are vital to life: without them we die. Yet, by consuming poor quality food and not enough fresh water, we also die… just a slower, more painful and disease-based death. High blood pressure, diabetes, cholesterol and obesity are all related to the foods and beverages we consume. On the same coin, vibrancy, fitness, and health are also related to what we consume.

The basics of a sound and healthy diet are simply this: consume fresh, whole foods; drink 8-10 glasses of filtered water daily; eat organic fruit and vegetables and lean meats raised free of hormones and antibiotics; and avoid as much as possible: sugar, alcohol, hydrogenated oils, saturated fats, processed white rice and grains and reduce dairy intake.

A great way to start your day with nutrient density is by making a green smoothie; and if you have blood pressure and cholesterol issues, try some of this tea.

3. Regular exercise

To be healthy you really do need to move your body. It is essential for moving the blood, sweating out toxins, keeping muscles supple and joints mobile, and of course managing blood pressure, reducing stress, boosting metabolic function, burning calories, and elevating mood.

The good news is that exercise does not have to be planned or in groups. Sure, there are group classes in Pilates and aerobics but taking long active walks, doing laundry and house cleaning also work as part of a program. No time, no problem. The program known as HIT (High Intensity Training) only requires three-minute bursts of aerobic activity and works wonders on insulin resistance and cardio health. Other great ways to get moving include yoga, tai chi, and aerobic exercises like burpees.

4. Sufficient sleep

Many people take sleep for granted, skimping on it and prolonging their active hours to squeeze more time into a day. Yet, research shows that sleep deprivation produces more errors and injury on the job. The fact is, 60% of Americans don’t get the recommended 7-8 hours of deep, restful sleep per night needed to repair and recharge the body.

Negative side effects of not sleeping enough include adverse effects on gene activity, weakened immune response, reduction in our ability to control stress, elevated risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, stroke and some cancers. Here are some tips for getting a good night’s sleep and why you should never sleep on negative emotions.

5. Embracing spirituality

Being spiritual, for sake of this category, refers to a belief in something larger than themselves. There are many ways to “be in spirit” or in touch with the “divine”, including meditation, prayer, and even appreciating nature or playing an instrument or listening to music that “inspires.” Many people who are spiritual or religious, often express that their beliefs make them “feel whole” (the root meaning of “health”).

To help you get into a spiritual or healing place you can use mantras and meditation.

6. Know your vital signs

Even when embracing a positive mental attitude, good diet, regular exercise routine, getting ample sleep and developing positive interpersonal relationships, we need to monitor our health. This means getting regular readings, and considering the metrics, of our blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, pH levels, Vitamin B and D, and BMI (body mass index).

Getting an annual physical will allow you the chance to get an internal reading of many of these, and a good scale will tell you your weight. Balancing body acids, foods for heart health, and maintaining mineral levels in the body are some articles with more information.

7. Interpersonal relationships

To conclude, we need to consider the power of positive interpersonal relationships on your health and well-being. This includes having loving and honest relationships with your significant others; moral and responsible relationships with your employers; loyal and sincere relationships with your friends.

The quality of our relationships tells us a lot about ourselves, how we see ourselves and others. Good relationships help us feel good about ourselves and thus elevating our mindset. Bring good people close to you and allow that to be a catalyst for building your health and improving your quality of life, embracing interpersonal relationships as part of the “Magnificent Seven” of sustained wellness.