Now this can be very apparent in degenerative diseases
such as diabetes or heart disease, but what about infections,
or toxic overload? It seems as if environmental factors
cause stress and disease as much as lifestyle, right?
 
Environmental stressors only cause disease to the degree
 that the body is susceptible. Bacteria can only infect a person
whose immune system allows it. Heavy metals are a debilitating
condition only to those that are weakened in the first place. 

A healthy and strong body will fight off and kill the invading bacteria,
or process and excrete the environmental pollutant as it was
 designed to do and what is needed to create a
strong, healthy body, and mind?
 

Below are the key elements in achieving optimal health and vitality:

1. Positive Attitude – No one likes to be miserable, and neither
does your immune system. Numerous studies have shown that having a
positive outlook on life improves immune system function, as well other
systems such as the cardiovascular system. Laughter can be grouped
in with a positive attitude, so don't forget to laugh often.

2. Healthy Relationships – Humans are social animals. We need others.
Having healthy and positive relationships are vital to staying strong and vibrant.

3. Stress – This may be the real number one killer in the US. Stress
is intimately linked with almost every disease known to man. Some
stress is healthy, but an overload of stress weakens our immune,
endocrine, cardiovascular, and digestive systems. A stress overload
over time compromises the entire body and all its functions and
increases our susceptibility to pain and disease.

4. Learning How to Breathe – This one is related to number three.
Deep belly breathing puts us in rest and digest mode and oxygenates
the body far more efficiently than breathing from our upper chest.

5. Diet – Everyone’s heard the saying, “You are what you eat.”
Well it’s true. The body requires certain nutrients and photochemical
to stay healthy. Eating a whole food, mostly plant based diet will give
the body what it needs to perform it’s every day functions. Pure water
and fresh air are important foods and are included in a healthy diet.

6. Exercise – Move it or lose it. One can do everything else on this list,
 but if the body is not moving then the body is weakening. There are
so many forms of exercise out there and everyone will be able to
find something they enjoy.

7. Sleep – This one’s huge. Sleep repairs the body and energizes us
for the next day. It also helps us interpret and manage stress in a more
effective way. Some studies are also pointing to REM sleep and it is
possible benefit of processing thoughts and emotions. So think about
when your cell phone is low on energy and you have to plug it in to
recharge. Sleep is the recharger. We should be plugged into that
recharger for 7-9 hours every night.

8. Sunshine – In today’s modern world many people are scared of the sun. 
Some believe that the sun causes cancer, but probably only in the same way
that bacteria cause disease. A person who is healthy and gets regular exposure
to the sun is far more able to withstand the sun’s rays than one who is unhealthy
or goes out in the sun once or twice a year when he is one vacation and gets
burnt to a crisp. That is when sun exposure is dangerous.

We need the sun. It is the ultimate source of all life on this planet.
The sun is also our best source of vitamin D, which studies are
now showing that a lack of it is connected to cancer and osteoporosis. 

Following these eight guidelines is a sure recipe for a long,
healthy life and will save us an incalculable amount of money
on doctor bills. Herbs and supplements may play key roles at
certain times in life at improving health or restoring vitality, but
without a healthy foundation they are of little to no benefit. 

The foundation to health and vitality is a combination of a
well balanced diet, exercise, herbs, and supplements.