The 29 non-dietetic factors

THIS week we are talking about things we should do and things we should not do to maintain or promote good health. I compiled the list below based on my many years’ experience as a Naturopathy Practitioner. However, for most of the methods to be effective they need to be applied appropriately and adequately. Remember, too much of too much can be too much.

The List 1) Obtain fresh air during the day while sleeping at night. A slight current of air should pass through your sleeping room at night. When you have the opportunity to go outside, breathe deeply of the fresh air. Practice good posture. Negative ions are important for good health, and these are primarily found outside the house.

2) Sunlight is important. Get a little every day. There is a higher rate of breast cancer in localities where there is less sunlight.

3) Exercise is important, and, as everybody says, walking outside is the best way to get it. If you are going to do vigorous exercise warm up first. Do some vigorous walking every day.

4) Rest is of vital importance. As you grow older, try to rest a little before preparing a meal. Then, when the meal is over, go outside and walk around a little.

5) Do not do heavy reading or study just before bedtime. This might cause your brain to be congested and it becomes difficult to fall asleep. The best thing to do, instead, is to go outside and walk around in the cool night air, breathing deeply. You will then find sleep more easily.

6) It is important to maintain a cheerful, sunny, thankful, contented attitude. This, I assure you, is a powerful healthbuilding recipe.

7) Even more important, Trust in God, He is the only One who can help you through your problems and trials.

8) You need periods of rest and relaxation every so often. Purposive living, when the objective is to help others, is powerful for the good of our society and excellent for your health. But do not overwork yourself.

9) They say cleanliness is next to Godliness. Cleanliness is important. Keep your yard, house, clothes, and body clean. Wash the outside with water [take a shower ever day], and, wash the inside by drinking enough liquids. At certain times, take an enema or colonic when needed, especially when you are sick. Showers are generally better than tub baths, they are quicker and more sanitary.

10) On this one, I risk the wrath of most (gentle) men. Do not wear belts, corsets, garters. The clothes should be supported from the shoulders, not at the waist. Men should wear suspenders as part of the way to avoid later prostate problems.

11) The right exercise of the will is crucial. You are well, you become well, you resist disease, you choose not the wrong path, and choose to do the right thing — through the power of the will.

12) As much as possible, live on a scheduled routine. In this way, you will get your meals, water, rest, exercise, and fresh air. You will have time to eat, to think, and make right decisions. Maintaining regular hours is a great benefit to health. Avoid staying up late at night: Use your will and go to bed when you are supposed to.

13) Avoid chilling or overheating. Avoid drafts. The danger is in chilling or over heating the blood, either can cause trouble. Dress properly, keep the limbs covered. They should be as warm as trunk.

14) Fast occasionally. Skip a meal and just drink fruit or vegetable juice instead. If you are in good health, you can carry on your work on a lighter load till the next meal. If you are frail, go to bed and rest. This will do you wonders in rebuilding and strengthening your body, so you will avoid later development of chronic and degenerative diseases.

15) Keep your blood circulation equalised. Do not chill the extremities. Do not over eat, or eat wrong foods. Maintain moderate exercise. Do what it takes to live right, and you will be richly rewarded.

16) Avoid anger, fear, worry, and enervation. An excellent way to ruin yourself is by indulging in excess sex or forbidden sex. Happiness comes through self-control, not indulgence.

17) Never overdo your immune system. It protects you, only as you do not make it work too hard in the process.

18) Do not overwork one body part more than the others. Many occupational injuries occur because this rule is violated. Take time to rest, when you are not busily working. Look a little closer at athletes, boxers, and karate experts. They are usually physically damaged in their joints by the time they are 50. This is not necessary. Live well by living moderately. Too much food, too much work, and too much relaxation can each be a problem. Learn to balance it all.

19) Have a careful attitude. Avoid falls, blows, hazards, and dangerous activities. More quadriplegia occurs from diving into shallow water than any other single cause. Get extra rest when you work near sick people.

20) Learn to understand the distant early warning signs. What are the first indications that you are about to fall ill? Find out what they are, for yourself, your loved ones, and your children. When you see trouble coming, get extra rest, retire earlier. Skip a meal or two, go to bed, and fast on water and lemon juice.

21) When able to do so, avoid jet lag and travelling in foreign countries. They have different intestinal bacteria, and you can surely get sick over there.

22) This one is for those individuals who work in noisy environs like heavy industries and mines. Please avoid loud sounds, such as chain saws and other loud machinery. Wear ear protectors. 23) Also, avoid dust, smoke, and chemical vapours. 24) Move out to the rural areas, if you want the best of health: Away from the noise, the fumes, the rush and turmoil. Go out to an area where there is quietness, peace, fresh air, negative ions, and better sunlight.

25) Do not live in the lowlands or by a creek. Do not live where it is always damp around the house. Settle in an upper area where it tends to be drier.

26) Avoid having trees close to your house. Do not have your windows covered up with curtains, let the sun come through. It purifies every room it enters. Sky light is purifying also, but lesser so.

27) If possible, avoid pets in, or around, the house. If you want a dog or cat in your house, give it a weekly bath. You can contract diseases from dogs, cats, pigeons, birds, and other animals.

28) Vegetable, fruit, berry, and flower gardening is an outstanding way to maintain your health—in several ways. But avoid using chemical fertilisers, insecticides, and other garden chemicals.

29) Lastly, learn how to give water therapy [hydrotherapy] treatments. Learn how to prepare and use simple herbs. Keep a few on hand. As we try to help others, our own health improves.

Trust Marandure is a Naturopathy Practitioner based in Bulawayo he can be contacted on 0772482382 or email tgmarandure@yahoo.com.