“The first wealth is health.”  — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Every New Year, I like to reflect on my life and see if there are any improvements that need to be made.

The last few years, when the topic of Health Care became so prominent in the world, I decided to make sure my own Personal Health Plan was the best it could be.

While most people were only focusing on purchasing Health Insurance, I decided to take an inventory of all the preventative measures I have in place that have helped me stay very healthy this year. I recorded a list of 10 health fundamentals for myself:

Drink lots of water.

I have proven to myself again and again that I have more energy and focus when I am fully hydrated. Being fully hydrated means drinking at least 8 cups of water, which is often tough and not desirable to me. I have to trick myself with herbal teas, lemon oil water, and soups.

Continue to ban certain foods from my diet.

Over 12 years ago, I discovered through a food elimination diet that there are certain foods that definitely make me feel sick. Through my years of trial and error, I have learned that I am much better off with gluten, dairy, sugar, and processed food.

Choose fruits and vegetables as the majority of my daily food intake.

I eat them via juices, salads, soups, smoothies, and roasted. I choose organic only if economically feasible. I make sure I eat enough during the day so I don’t splurge on junk to satisfy me.

Move my body, daily.

I make sure I work on increasing my aerobic capacity, flexibility, and strength through a variety of activities. I strive to be consistent and choose activities I enjoy like walking, hiking, golfing, skiing, rock climbing, yoga and even dodge ball.

Focus on other self-care activities, such as meditation, self-growth efforts, playing with others, receiving love.

One of the most effective actions I can take during the day is to slow down, or even better–sit still and do nothing. Whether it be for 30 minutes after I get up, or 30 minutes in the late afternoon, taking a  “time-out” is one of the best investments I can make for my health. I also make sure I expose myself to positive words each day, whether through books, podcasts, webinars, or quotes. I know that interacting with people makes me feel more alive, so I make sure I enjoy time with my children, reach out to friends and family, and receive the abundant love my husband gives me everyday.

Maintain a healthy weight.

I keep making adjustments to maintain my healthiest weight, and try to make sure I do not let it slip away from me. While I never consider myself on a “diet”, I do make sure I try to make good food choices everyday and use supplements to support a healthy metabolism.

Take supplements, when needed.

To counteract some digestive issues (leaky gut & GERD) I developed recently, I use digestive supplements on a daily basis. To help my adrenal glands and metabolism, I use beneficial essential oils. I also take a multivitamin packet and extra vitamin D to protect my immune system. I drink Yogi Breathe Easy and Detox tea to help support my asthma and my liver. I use all-natural skin care products from dōTERRA and Arbonne. I also try to reduce chemicals in the products I use daily, when possible.

Set myself up for success.

I try to stick to a weekly low-grain meal plan and always make sure I have a healthy snack on me at all times. I make sure I build in some play time everyday, and some time with my husband as much as possible, too.

Set up support for my wellness plan.

I have the support of myself, a naturopath, women’s health clinic, functional medicine doctor, chiropractor, acupuncturist, and traditional doctor. I keep my wellness plan and health history in a file for doctors to see. I have catastrophic health insurance and utilize a health savings account for tax advantages.

Keep my emotional health in check by being grateful, organized, calm, patience, forgiving, and loving.

I make sure I take full responsibility for my own health and happiness, and make adjustments when necessary. When I don’t know the answer, I ask, seek and learn. I gain when I am emotionally healthy, and lose when I am emotionally drained, so I check in with myself often to assess how I am doing. When I am struggling, I have learned how important it is go back to my fundamentals and start again. I also know the importance of choosing and focusing on LOVE in my life. It never fails me.

I bundle all these tips together and remind myself that my main responsibility is to be happy and be good force (rather than evil) for the planet.

In good health! xoxo

Q: Is there anything else I should be doing? Any suggestions?