Considering how complex human beings are, it’s a miracle that most of us are reasonably healthy most of the time. Our bodies consist of an intertwined set of functional subsystems. We have:
- A circulatory system
- A digestive system
- An endocrine system
- A nervous system
- A lymphatic system
- A respiratory system
- An immune system
- A microbiome
I could go on, but you get the idea. There are a lot of functional parts to a human being, which all communicate with each other and cooperate harmoniously when we are healthy. Ill health happens when one or more of these subsystems is out of balance with the rest, or when it is assaulted by some outside influence, such as a disease organism, a toxin, a carcinogen, trauma, or an unhealthy level of stress.
Some stress is good. I purposely stress myself to enhance my health. One stressful thing that I do is I run a couple of miles almost every day. If the weather is at least passible, I will be running. A run stresses me in several ways. It stresses my lungs, causing me to breathe heavily. It stresses my leg muscles, causing them to ache. It stresses my knees, which must bear the impact of my foot strikes on the road that I run on. While the act of running stresses my body in these ways, at the same time it acts as a stress relief to my mind. I can enjoy the fresh air that I draw into my lungs. I can enjoy the rhythm of my steps. I can enjoy the neighbors that I greet as I run by them. Most importantly, I can concentrate on the now. At this moment, the only thing that exists is the sky above and the road ahead. I am at one with my world. Stressful thoughts drain away, and as they do, I come to exist in the present moment. This is how I create health for myself.
Yes, it’s important to eat healthy foods.
Yes, it’s important to get enough sleep.
Yes, it’s important to eliminate as many chronic stressors as you can.
Yes, it’s important to exercise regularly, but for me, running is far more than just exercise. It is a portal into a deeper reality. It refreshes and strengthens not just the body, but also the mind and spirit.
Find something that does for you what running does for me, and get to know yourself on a deeper level.
Bio:
Allen G. Taylor is a 30-year veteran of the computer industry and the author of over 30 books, including Develop Microsoft HoloLens Apps Now, Get Fit with Apple Watch, Cruise for Free, SQL For Dummies, 8th Edition, Crystal Reports 2008 For Dummies, Database Development For Dummies, Access Power Programming with VBA, and SQL All-In-One For Dummies, Second Edition. He lectures internationally on astronomy, databases, innovation, and entrepreneurship. He also teaches database development and Crystal Reports through a leading online education provider. For the latest news on Allen’s activities, check out his blog at www.allengtaylor.com or contact him at allen.taylor@ieee.org.