Have you ever thought about what it takes to achieve maximum health? I mean truly excellent health. I have noticed that most people only think about their health when they are sick or when there is a special occasion like New Year's Day or a birthday - particularly ones with zeros after them. One of my most difficult tasks as a physician is to get my patients to think about their health every day rather than the few times a year that they see me for an all too short office visit. I can treat acute and chronic illnesses effectively during these infrequent office visits, but what my patients do between office visits determines their level of health. I can explain the cornerstones of good health in a relatively short time, but it is up to the individual to learn and apply these fundamental principles.

Cornerstone #1: Healthy Mind and Spirit

So, what does it take to be healthy? What are these cornerstones? The first cornerstone is a healthy spirit and mind. Without a contented spirit and a right thinking mind, it would be impossible to practice the other three cornerstones. Your level of thinking determines your level of health. Someone once said, "Your attitude determines your altitude." In other words, how healthy you think you are is how healthy you will ultimately become. If you think of yourself as a healthy person, you will tend to have healthy behaviors, which will then result in you becoming a healthy person. Mother Teresa embodies my ideal of a healthy spirit. During her life she was at peace, and she loved others unconditionally. She forgave everyone for whatever they did that was wrong. Unconditional love and forgiveness are two of the most important concepts for a healthy spirit and mind.

Cornerstone #2: Restful Sleep

Once you have begun developing a healthy spirit and a healthy attitude, you can then focus on the second cornerstone, which is achieving restful sleep. If you are tired, you will not make good decisions about your health. You will not exercise, and you will probably not choose healthy food. So, make a plan to get to bed early on a consistent basis so you are well rested and ready to face the challenges and opportunities of each wonderful day. You are familiar with the phrase "sleep like a baby". There is nothing so peaceful as watching a baby sleep. We should try to cultivate that type of sleep in our own lives.

Cornerstone #3: Excellent Nutrition

A well-rested person is ready to implement the third cornerstone of maximum health, which is excellent nutrition. Many of you may remember from elementary school that "you are what you eat." This is quite literally true. Every cell in your body is made from the building blocks of the food that you put in your mouth. If you put junk food in, you are building a sick and frail body. If you put healthy, nutritious food in, you are building a fortress of health that will protect you from infection and chronic diseases such as cancer, heart disease, and diabetes. My patients often ask me, "What is the healthiest diet for me?" I always give the same answer. Simply eat a diet that is very high in vegetables and fruits and eat much less of all other foods. In his book "Healthy at 100," John Robbins writes about four different cultures, whose people live well into their 90s and beyond and are very healthy and active. They live long lives and are healthy and active primarily because they eat a very simple diet that consists mostly of fruits and vegetables.

Cornerstone #4: Physical Fun

The final cornerstone of maximum health is exercise. I do not know of any way to be healthy without exercise. Your body was designed to move. If you don't get up and move or exercise almost every day, one day you won't be able to move. Your body is either getting stronger and healthier or it is getting weaker and sicker. If you do not exercise, your body is failing-you don't have to run marathons, you just need to get up and walk, or garden or engage in whatever physical fun you enjoy. The best exercise to do is the one that you will do. Jack Lalanne is the person who most embodies the concept of healthy exercise. He started as a self-described 98 pound weakling, but he became known for exercise and vibrant physical health. To celebrate his 70th birthday, he swam 1.5 miles in Long Beach Harbor while handcuffed and shackled and while towing 70 rowboats, each with one person in it - and he held the tow rope in his teeth. If Jack Lalanne can do this at age 70, I know that each of you can begin doing some type of physical fun now.

Remember that excellent health does not just happen-it requires thought and planning followed by massive action. Think like a healthy person, do what a healthy person does, and you will be a healthy person.

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About The Author:
Dr. Doug Fullington is a board-certified Internal Medicine physician with a busy practice filled with wonderful patients. He is passionate about helping people learn how to Achieve Maximum Health. If you would like for Dr. Fullington to speak to your group or organization, you may contact him at http://www.DrDougFullington.com

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