The 6 Areas of Balance - Physical

Last week I discussed the six areas of balance and this week I am focusing on physical balance.  Physical balance looks at how I stay physically healthy with exercise and diet.  Let's take about exercise first.  There have been studies that show regular walking helps mental and physical health.  The American Heart Association recommends 30 minutes of cardio exercise daily and walking works!  TurningLeaf Wellness Center has a Zumba class taught by Cliff Tapusoa on Monday evenings at 6:00 p.m.  Zumba's motto is "Ditch the workout and join the party."  Cliff really does make it fun!  This is a beginning class and he will go slow so no one needs to be fearful as he wants you to "get it".  When you find yourself stepping out of your comfort zone and trying even though you are afraid, that is when you gain confidence and personal power.  Classes are $5 or you can buy a punch card for $20 and the 5th class is free.  Great deal!  We have had a Kundalini yoga class in the past and I loved it and I would like to start another one. There are so many fun ways to exercise and feel great.  Do you have a favorite?  I would love to hear about yours.  Now let's talk briefly about diet.  I am quoting ideas from a book I would highly recommended buying and reading:  "All Health's Breaking Loose:  The Handbook by Loa Blasucci.  What are you willing to experiment with as far as diet?  Most of us do not eat very healthy; the American diet is sorely lacking.  Consider this: "Toxic foods prevent us from feeling our best, and therefore our reactions to situation may be be at their best - the vicious cycle begins.  Begin to notice how your body feels as you become toxin-free.  Eliminate:  sugar, white flour, caffeine, processed and packaged foods, milk, diet soda, pork, cold cuts, and any cannor boxed food with additives.  These substances accelerate aging.  They are basically 'dead' foods that offer no energy to your body and contribute to degeneration and decay.  They prevent you from feeling the vibrance that you deserve to feel."  This may seen extreme, however, hopefully, it will help you to pay more attention and be more aware of what you are eating.  "How you eat is how you fuel your body.  This 'fuel' will determine how good you feel, and feeling good is how you win the game of life."  If you are intrigued read Loa's book, it is filled with great health ideas.  From Walt Whitman:  "If anything is sacred, the human body is sacred".  How well are you honoring yourself in this area?

Sue Judd, MSS, LSAC

TurningLeaf Wellness Center

The 6 Areas of Balance

For the month of June, I would like to focus on balance as an essential part of the recovery process.  How committed are you to working a balanced recovery program?  Commitment can be strengthened by doing a daily inventory to see how well balanced you were for the day.  Also, it is important to live in the present and work at this one day at a time.  It is important to live in today and not in the past or the future; yesterday is gone and tomorrow is yet to be.  Today is all we have.  These are six areas of balance to consider:  physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual, and financial.  Next week, we will address physical balance.  Start thinking about each of these areas and how you honor each area each day. To quote George Bernard Shaw:  "People are always blaming their circumstances for what they are.  I don't believe in circumstances.  The people who get on in this world are the people who get UP and look for the circumstances they want and if they can't find them, make them. What are you making of your life today?   Do you eat healthy and exercise regularly.  Are you aware of your thoughts; are they positive or negative?  Are you thoughts self-affirming or self-defeating?  Are you comfortable with all of your feelings and know how to use them constructively?  Who and where do you find social support; do you know how to play, laugh, and have fun?  What is your spiritual basis?  The Twelve Steps are a spiritual program and the best recovery is found in combining treatment and Twelve Step meetings.  Finances are the last piece in the balance equation and we will look at what that entails.  I am excited to focus on each area and look forward to your ideas as well.  One final note from Lao Tzu:  "If you look to others for fulfillment, you will never truly be fulfilled.  If your happiness depends on money, you will never be happy with yourself.  Be content with what you have; rejoice in the way things are.  When you realize there is nothing lacking, the whole world belongs to you."


Sue Judd, M.S.S., LSAC
TurningLeaf Wellness Center