Focus on the Five

There is so much information at our fingertips that can provide advice on how to get healthy and how to stay healthy. Well, which way do you go? Who do you listen to? Ultimately, I believe that is for you to decide; but there are foundational pillars to health that form the basics. No matter where you are in your health journey, you can strengthen your skillset!

The five pillars are:

1. Sleep

2. Sunlight

3. Nutrition

4. Movement

5. Socialization

Sleep… what are we without it? Maybe the better question is HOW are we without sufficient sleep? Take a moment to reflect on what kind of sleep makes you feel the most refreshed upon waking. Strive for that kind of sleep in your life. It is vital to the rest of our health to start here. If you don’t get the rest your body needs, you are putting the other pillars of health at a disadvantage. A domino effect, poor sleep can lead to poor decision making and so on. 

Sunshine on your face in the morning and in the evening. Watching the sun rise and set can be a beautiful way to set your health up for success. Many benefits from exposure to sunlight in the early morning and evening hours have been discovered. Don’t believe me? Try it out! Stand outside for just five minutes when the sun has just risen and then watch the sunset that evening. Do this for the next few weeks and notice what happens to your sleep quality.

The rest of the pillars are important too; everyone has specific needs in each of these realms. Figuring out what type of “recipe” that keeps you feeling the best takes time. Start with honing in on one of these foundational pillars to start. Make it what you want it to be, so that you can stick to it.