In Holistic Health Secrets for Women Dr Mark Atkinson shares his highly effective and integrated medical approach for addressing the unique barriers that women today face. By answering his personalised questionnaires, Dr Mark will identify which of his five secrets you need to focus on, to help you find your own perfect plan for health and happiness.
Here's an extract from the book to give you a flavour of Dr Mark's advice:
How well do you take care of your body? Do you nourish it daily with high-vitality foods such as fresh fruits, vegetables and whole grains, or do you tend to fill up on sugary, processed foods and snacks? Do you keep your body hydrated with plenty of fresh water, or pour in copious amounts of caffeine and alcohol? Do you exercise your body daily and keep yourself fit and well toned, or are you carrying excess fat around your middle? Are you in tune with the messages and rhythms of your body, or do you feel detached from your body? Overall, do you accept, honour and nurture your body or do you abuse and neglect it?
If you are like most women, the chances are high that you will say yes to the latter. Failing to nurture and take care of the physical body is at epidemic levels in Western society: 21 per cent of women smoke, 7 per cent of women have used illicit drugs in the last year and 13 per cent of women regularly drink over the recommended weekly alcohol limit of 14 units per week.
At this time of year many women resolve to take better care of themselves. In order to do that it's important to recognise why women don't do this all year round. So why are the majority of women failing to consistently nurture and take care of their bodies? In a nutshell, most women are failing to cope with the physical, psychological and social demands being placed upon them and this stress results in them returning to their default settings of putting others – and other priorities – before their own self-care. For most this means getting inadequate amounts of sleep and rest, failing to get enough exercise, eating foods that promote disease and inhibit health and healing, and exposing themselves unnecessarily to toxic chemicals.
Get the basics right
Good health and happiness is built on the foundations of adequate sleep and rest, healthy eating, daily physical activity and living in a healthy, low toxicity environment. In addition to this I would also add preventative healthcare, such as having regular medical check-ups with your doctor or nurse; knowing about illnesses that are common to your family; stopping smoking; maintaining your optimum weight; receiving appropriate immunisations; getting preconception advice; knowing your cholesterol, homocysteine and blood pressure measurements; and brushing your teeth twice a day and seeing a dental hygienist every six months.
I continue to be amazed at how symptoms such as fatigue, skin rashes, pain, bloating, headaches and even depression resolve when my patients start to nurture and take care of their physical bodies. Improving your health shouldn't be something you think of at the start of the New Year or when spring beckons - if you commit to looking after yourself on an ongoing basis you'll be amazed at the effect it has on all areas of your life.
For more help and advice on dealing with the daily health worries and issues caused by hectic modern life, check out the book, Holistic Health Secrets for Women.
Posted 20/01/2009 17:14:36 by Darren Turpin with 0 comments.
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