Four Elements of Good Health

Ancient civilizations identified four elements of the physical universe.

These are: 1. Air, 2. Fire, 3. Earth & 4. Water

I love the simplicity and the functionality of their model. If I am cold, more heat. If I am thirsty, more water.

Maybe if I was a chemist, I would need to know more about the periodic table, but I am not a chemist.

The Four Elements of Good Health

There are Four Elements of Good Health that I use as a guide for self-care.

The more I attune to them, the better I feel and function. Here they are:

1. Nutrition 

This includes what I feed the only body I ever get for fuel and growth.

When I consume foods that come from nature, rich in protein and fat, I foster health.

When I consume highly processed foods, and toxins like alcohol, I foster illness.

2. Movement 

This includes how I physically activate my body.

When I move daily, sometimes gently, sometimes strenuously, I foster energy, strength, and endurance.

When I remain inactive, I foster frailty, apathy, and lethargy.

I include learning and work movement of the mind.

3. Sleep & Rest 

These include how I recuperate and revitalize.

When I sleep well, I allow myself to recover from daily wear and stress, and I prepare myself to return to the world with vigor, focus, and a good attitude.

When my body tells me I am tired or injured, I rest.

When I neglect sleep or rest, I underperform and I get grouchy and prone to injury.

4. Love & Connection 

This includes how I care for the people who are important to me and how I allow myself to be cared for.

When I am connected to the people close to me I feel a strong sense of purpose and that I am a part of something greater than me.

When I am disconnected from the people close to me, I feel lonely.

The Four Elements of Good Health are simple enough that even I can understand them. They have become essential to me like heat from the sun and so I share them with you here.