When you think of being healthy what pops into your head? Is it eating kale, running a mile, a skinnier waistline, or maybe choosing to not put creamer in your coffee? Everyone has a different view of what is means to live a "healthy life." The English word "health" comes from the Old English word hale, meaning "wholeness, being whole, sound or well." From my perspective, when we think about health we should be thinking body, mind, and soul wellness. Medical research keeps pointing back to how important it is to nourish ourselves in every aspect of our being--physical, social, emotional, mental and spiritual. When any of these aspects are unbalanced, we suffer. We need to make decisions about what we do and how we eat that foster not only our health but our wellbeing, our "wholeness."

A great place to start thinking about our health and wholeness is with our diet. Did you know that several cancers and other illnesses are now linked to diet? It is more important than ever to think about what we eat. What are you fueling your body with? I start every morning with lemon water. I warm water up in a tea kettle, and then squeeze half a lemon into it and if I am feeling like I have acid in my stomach, I add a shot of Bragg's apple cider vinegar to my water. This flushes the internal organs and pushes the gunk if your colon through. For all of you who find you struggle with constipation, you're welcome!

After I take care of my morning drink and food routine, I get moving. Sometimes its a walk with my son or chasing him around the backyard. Or its an hour yoga class, or run on the road. You don't need to do what I do, do what your body can do. Just move. Maybe start with 10 pushups, 10 sit ups, 10 jumping jacks, and 10 lunges. Get your heart pumping. Regular physical activity can help keep your thinking skills sharp as you age, reduce your risk of depression, and help you sleep better. That sounds good to me!

Let's do something wild. Stop putting pressure, guilt, or fears of failure on ourselves when it comes to being healthy. Instead, set an intention. To welcome in joy, love, and wholeness. Find what choices you can make to take care of you. Then keep making those choices, again and again, day after day. Resolve to evolve.

Bio of Teanna Gentry
Teanna is a health and wellness guru from the Pacific Northwest who has a passion for helping people find freedom in movement, being healthy, and inspiring them to take care of their bodies. Currently Teanna is a health coach, barre, and yoga instructor as well as the Director of Operations at Hot Feet Fitness in Burien, WA. She promises you will sweat, laugh, and have a great time if you come take a class for FREE with her!