Preventative health practices are the foundation for sustainable health. These habits, rituals, and routines fight disease rather than promote it. They keep the body vibrant and thriving. They honor, respect, and care for each individual cell that works to keep you ticking. Preventative health practices can be broken down into three categories: nutrition, movement, and mental health.

Nutrition of course refers to the food you consume. In terms of prevention, the recommended diet is pretty simple: whole-food, plant-based. Of course this is discussed further in future articles, but simple and plain the best diet out there is one rich in wholesome, plant-based foods. Avoid anything processed, sweetened, colored, ect. Opt to consume the three main macronutrients (protein, carbohydrates, and fats) in a balance that works best for you. By eating a diet rich in vegetables it is ensured you are nourishing yourself with a multitude of vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and all of the little good things that make you radiant. There is a lot of debate on how and what to eat but the most valuable nutritionist is yourself. Listen to your body and notice what makes you feel your best. Refrain from taking dietary advice from magazines, commercials, and social media. You know what’s best for you, just listen.

Movement is absolutely essential to being human- and prevention. I don’t mean exercise or working out; this is a contrived idea of forcing all of your required movement into an hour, often motivated simply by vanity. I encourage you to adopt an idea of more natural movement that permeates every aspect of your life. Repetitive exercise overworks isolated muscles and joints. It may help to burn fat, but doesn’t make for a strong, healthy, and thriving being. Think primal-y, you are nothing but another mammal in our animal kingdom. Run in the grass, swim in the ocean, jump, hop, skip, and hang from trees. Rather than focus on sets and reps, try to work every single muscle in your body. There is a more sustainable, functional means of “working-out” that will be discussed in future articles.

Lastly, mental health might possibly be one of the most important aspects of preventative health. Your brain runs your body. If something isn’t quite right upstairs, chances are it will manifest physically in the body in cryptic, confusing ways. Preventative practices that cater to your mental health include anything that nourishes and cares for your mind. In a perfect world everyone would have a therapist to work with. No one is free from issues that affect the mind, including anxiety, depression, negative self-talk, lack of motivation, trauma, ect. Practices that care for the mind can take many forms and might include yoga, meditation, taking a bath, or speaking your mind about a conflict. Humans, with our advanced cognitive abilities, have to care for and nurture our mind. We have an amazing ability to repress our feelings. If not anything else, you can start by allowing yourself to feel the full range of emotions we are capable of. Be angry, be sad, be passionate, and be happy. You deserve it, no matter what your circumstances.

By living in a way that practices healthful nutrition, natural movement, and caring for your mind, you are practicing preventative health and you are one step farther away from illness and disease. You are not only extending your lifespan but saving yourself money from costly doctors bills to treat illness and disease. It’s really that simple.

There is one last integral part, however. Imagine a time when you may have been in a relationship, job, or personal endeavor where your heart just wasn’t “in it.” Your actions and emotions may have felt contrived or forced. You may have put on a happy face but you weren’t truly happy. Preventative health must have pure and wholesome motivation. Don’t just eat your vegetables and exercise because “you should,” do it because you love yourself. Question your motivation for everything and if your heart isn’t there then find something that better suits you. Hate running? Find something else to get your body moving like hiking, yoga, boxing, swimming, ect. Can’t fathom the idea of drinking juiced vegetables? Then sauté, steam, or bake your fill of veggies. No one is telling you that you have to do things a certain way. You are the master of your own destiny and if you want to chose to live in a way that promotes better health then do it with the purest intention of supreme self-love.