BluFolio

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Dr Michael Mills

Good day! (each and every day is a great day if we are fortunate to wake up!)

We will continue our exploration of a framework to allow us to strive for better health. Last week we talked about the first of Stephen Covey’s “Seven Habits” and applied it to health.

The first habit is to:

1. Be Proactive

Take Initiative
Take Responsibility
Be inside-out
Make Commitments and complete them.
(please see last week’s blog for an elaboration of these concepts)

The second habit is to:

2. Begin With the End in Mind - visualize the outcome to enable us to write the “program” or map

Find a health destination of our own. An example of a personal destination is “a desire to live a life with physical and mental strength, minimal preventable illness, and longevity”. Of course, your destination will differ. You must aim for a destination even if you do not yet know the route!
What do you want to accomplish? Even though we don’t normally think of our health as a project – it is a life project of tremendous importance.
Each Day should contribute to our goal. Do what is needed to accomplish our goal and do not violate our principles to reach it.
Always monitor changes in ourself and the world around us. Do not be afraid of re-scripting or changing the path to the destination.
Be aware of the special higher order thinking of humans that allows us to achieve a goal such as optimized health:
Self–awareness of who we are and what we can do
Imagination/potential – to strive to meet an objective
Conscience – use of our talents within the parameters of our principles or fundamental truths
What steps must each of us take on the journey to our destination?

Develop a Personal Mission Statement that prioritizes optimal Health as a Value.
Recognize that we can Influence our Health Outcomes – our personal Health is within our “Circle of Influence”. Examples of areas within our “Circle” include: dietary choices/weight, physical exercise, stress management techniques.


Next Week:

Setting priorities “Put First Things First”

Creating great outcomes that improve the life of all parties – “Think Win-Win”

Take care,
Michael Mills

Drmichaelmills.com
Blufolio.com

My purpose in writing this Blog is to stimulate us (including myself) to explore issues in health and wellness so that we can work towards a more balanced and healthier life.

I don’t know the best way to live life or to be healthy. In my day job, I am a medical doctor with a passion to help my patients engage in better lifestyle habits. All of the topics and information here is for educational purposes and is not medical or personal health advice. Please consult with your licenced health care providers for medical advice and treatments.

In this health and wellness blog, my mission is to raise issues in health and wellness to a higher level in our consciousness and promote us to live a healthier lifestyle. I want to act as a “Health Advocate” and stimulate interest, conversation and action for health.

We all want to live a “good” life, but how do we increase the odds that we can make it happen? Life becomes busy and hectic and we must always strive to create a balance that fulfills our long-term needs: To live, learn, love and create a life with meaning.

The World Health Organization (WHO) definition of health is: “a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity “

According to the WHO, the primary determinants of health include our social, economic, and physical environments combined with the person’s individual characteristics and behaviors.

Health is a state of physical, mental, and social well-being. Wellness is the state of living a healthy lifestyle, aiming to enhance well-being.

The maintenance and improvement of health depends on external factors and our intelligent lifestyle choices. In fact, it depends on wellness or an awareness of our ability to make choices that may lead to a more successful life existence.

Every day we have choices to develop our Physical, Mental/Psychological, Spiritual and Social/Emotional well-being – The Four Dimensions of Life (as per SR Covey and others).

The Four Dimensions of Life:

Physical – body and health. Taking care of your body optimizes your ability to fulfill your purposes on this Earth. Eating/Exercising/stress management/Rest.
Mental/Psychological – intelligence, self-awareness, self-improvement and personal growth. (grow/learn/reflect). Allows us to experience life to the fullest.
Spiritual – faith, traditions, beliefs, religion, meaning. Connection to our personal values with belief in the value of mankind and our existence.
Social/Emotional – connections with others drive our meaning in life, allowing us to experience love, joy, relationships and caring.
Optimizing health comes from making decisions and practicing behaviors that are based on sound health knowledge and health-promoting habits.

I will follow up with topics on a weekly basis. I invite your comments and suggestions and look forward to learning more about health with you.

I will end with a beautiful expression important for our mindset (and health). It was provided to me by one of my patients:

“Live life with an attitude of gratitude”. We should aim to be thankful every day.

Take Care
Michael Mills

Eating breakfast has been shown to help boost brainpower, manage weight, and improve nutrient intake. To help you start your day on the right foot, we have put together a list of great morning foods and drinks For details visit: https://www.realsimple.com/food-recipes/recipe-collections-favorites/healthy-meals/list-breakfast-foods

Poor nutrition can weaken your immune system and make you more susceptible to other health problems, including gum disease. "Variety and moderation are key to a diet for healthy teeth". For details : https://www.everydayhealth.com/hs/healthy-teeth/best-foods/

Hair loss happens for many different reasons, and not all of them are related to aging. Fortunately, there are a variety of ways you can prevent excessive hair loss without resorting to expensive products and prescriptions. For details:https://www.wikihow.com/Stop-Hair-Loss-Naturally

Bone is living tissue, constantly renewing itself. Although bone is strong and relatively flexible, everyday wear and tear causes tiny structural defects. For details visit : https://osteoporosis.ca/bone-health-osteoporosis/nutrition/calcium-requirements/

Research suggests your gut bacteria are tied to your probability of things like diabetes, obesity, depression, and colon cancer. So care your GUT. For details visit : https://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/what-your-gut-bacteria-say-your-health #1

A healthy, balanced diet based on whole, unprocessed foods including a variety of fruits and vegetables, whole-grains, nuts and seeds, beans, eggs and fish, is the essential basis for healthy glowing skin. for details visit : https://www.mybeautyandgo.co.uk/super-foods-for-skin/