Whether to be healthy or diseased is a choice. The choice is manifested through the daily decisions we make about what we eat, what we drink, what products we use, etc. Illness and disease are the body’s way of expressing that it needs help; that it’s in crisis. It tells us that we have used, digested or otherwise come into contact with something harmful. A fever, for example, is the body raising its core temperature to fight off an infection. Suppressing a fever interferes with the body’s ability to heal itself. Cancer is the body’s way of telling us our immune system, among other things, is significantly compromised. Chemo and radiation do not cure the cancer. Instead, they weaken the immune system further by taking healthy cells down and causing permanent damage. Autoimmune disorders are a way of telling you that your immune system is compromised and overreacting.  Taking pharmaceutical drugs only addresses the symptoms.  Like taking ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen, it merely tells your body to stop talking to you.  It does not get to the root cause of what is causing the symptoms.  When you fight fire with fire, you get burned. It’s like taking a sledgehammer to your computer instead of just rebooting or troubleshooting the issue.
When the body is cared for properly, it has the tools and abilities to do what it needs to bring homeostasis and health to the system.

But what is meant by “cared for properly?” Well, you’ve come to the right place to find out. You see, this is what I do. I help my clients implement practices that are health-promoting and leave behind those behaviors that are disease-promoting. Afterward, it is not uncommon for clients to see things through an entirely different set of lenses. They seem to forget that, many times, they were in the same place as those who are living in pain and do not understand the links between behaviors and health. I remind them, and myself, that we were in those same shoes 5 minutes ago.

Examples of disease states and health issues that can be prevented, mitigated or rectified through lifestyle change include:

·      Cancer

·      Heart Disease

·      Arthritis

·      Headaches

·      Gastrointestinal

·      Allergies

·      Psoriasis

·      Eczema

·      Asthma

·      Acne

·      Autoimmune Disorders

·      Low Energy

·      Brain Fog

·      Anxiety

·      Depression

The list goes on for days, because nearly all health-related issues can be tied back to diet and lifestyle choices.  The problem is that we have not been taught what good choices look like.  Instead, most of the messages we receive come by way of the marketing of health-disrupting products.  Products that are highly processed, contain chemicals that disrupt our hormones, and interfere with the process necessary for our cells to effectively communicate.  It is not our fault, but it is certainly our burden.  Think about it.  How often do you see commercials for products, food or otherwise, that are health-promoting and good for you?  In fact, as I type there is a commercial on for a new cancer drug.  One of the “warnings?”  Although they claim the drug helps your immune system fight cancer, in the same sentence they tell you it can cause your immune system to attack other organs in your body.  Does that sound safe?  Clearly their own research indicates it further impairs an already compromised immune system.

Think of things like hackers and you are the firewall. When disease promoting agents like sugar, artificial colors, artificial sweeteners, preservatives and thickeners enter your system, they disrupt your body’s ability to communicate, heal and keep you well.  Instead, they feed the virus, the disease, the illness.

You decide what goes in your body and what does not. For the most part, you have that power of choice. The body tells us every day what it needs and what to avoid.  We’ve just turned down the sound.  Or rather, the sound has been turned down for us in many cases.   I recently met a woman whose doctor put her on hormonal birth control to reduce her chances of ovarian cancer.  What she didn’t realize is that it greatly increases her chances of breast cancer.   The funny thing is, her gut keeps telling her she shouldn’t be taking the hormones.  Her body has gone completely haywire since starting on the pills.

Listen to your body.  Turn up your internal voice and turn down the volume on the outside chatter telling you drugs will cure what ails you, or sugar-laden products will make you happy and part of a community.  They won’t.  And the worst part is, too much of the latter will have you headed for the former.  It’s a vicious cycle that requires you to opt out of the merry-go-round ride.

Before I launch my spring challenge, I challenge you to be more aware of who is trying to sell to you and what?  What are they actually selling you other than their product?  There’s always a hidden message that makes you think you need that something.  Be a health detective and snoop it out.  And post in the comments what you find.  I’d love to know what you see as the messages we are bombarded with every day.

Go to my home page and download my cheat sheet.  Not only will you get your first mini-challenge, you will also be added to my email list and receive notice of any offerings and freebies.

Be your best advocate; be your best self.

Yours in Wellness,

Jackie