How to feel your best, no diet or exercise required
So you eat clean, have tried every health trend under the sun and workout like a machine, but still don’t feel your best. Maybe your energy levels are low, your appetite is all over the place, you’ve put on weight or are not sleeping well, you have spotty skin, or maybe your fertility is off track. But why is all this going on when you’re so darn healthy?!According to Dr Jame Heskett, author of The Well Path, your modern lifestyle is the culprit. And she says it has nothing to do with diet or exercise, so you can quit blaming that extra piece of bread you ate at brunch.Dr Heskett says the key to unlocking boundless energy, losing weight, reversing the ageing process and restoring balance lies in the Four S’s – sleep, sex, stress and social interaction.So how does your lifestyle stack up? Are you on The Well Path?
Sleep
Sleep is vital for keeping your body in balance. If you don’t get enough, your body will not recuperate and your hormones will end up out of whack.On top of that, sleep deprivation contributes to brain fog and cravings for sugar and carbohydrates. This is because during adequate sleep, your body returns to homeostasis so you can hit the ground running the next day, with all your hormones just as they should be.What does this mean for you?The magic number of hours required varies from person to person. Dr. Heskett suggests you ask yourself the question, “Do I wake up in the morning without an alarm and feeling completely ready to tackle the day?”I bet most of you probably said no to that one ;)Dr. Heskett suggests that just sleeping in for longer won’t do the trick either. You need to get to bed earlier and work towards setting up a regular sleep schedule. Yep, that may mean no TV or computer time at night but the good news is, you’ll be much more productive the next day anyway!
Sex
When it comes to sex, there are so many reasons to partake! Boosted immunity, improved circulation, weight management, pain relief and even less risk of heart disease. This is because during sex, your body releases hormones that have an impact on everything from your skin cells to your metabolism. And of course we have to talk about the big O, which is an instant stress reliever! Orgasms also shut down your brain’s anxiety centre, so if you’ve been suffering from a lot of anxious thoughts, you know what to do ;)What does this mean for you?Dr. Heskett points out it isn’t about the number of times per week you get jiggy, but more about engaging in sexual activity you feel good about and enjoy.Let’s be honest, due to busy schedules adding more sex can sometimes seem like another to-do, but for optimum health you should avoid skipping it and try to initiate a little loved-up action at times you usually wouldn’t, then pay attention to all the benefits that come from doing that regularly. Doctors orders!The Doc also says, “it does not take two to tango, you should try and practise self-orgasm at lease once during the week.”
Stress
We all know how bad stress is for us. But hands up if you get even more stressed thinking about being stressed?!The bad news is, this compounds the issue and your body kicks into survival mode, meaning you can’t think straight, your digestion can become compromised and your body will start to hold on to fat.What does this mean for you?It all comes down to the coping mechanisms and techniques you have in place to draw on in times of stress, which can help calm your mind and get you back on track.Your stress-kicking tool kit can include activities like walking, meditation, breathing exercises, yoga and even therapy. Of course, it’d be great if we could eliminate stress all together, but as Dr. Heskett reminds us, that’s pretty impossible, so try changing your response to stress instead.She points out, “Be aware that although the stress you’re feeling right now might screw up the moment and your mood for the day, it will likely have no impact on you in a week, a month, or six months from now”.So start to fill your self-care toolkit and remind yourself that stress is a passing emotion and overcoming it can actually help build up your brain, just like going to the gym can do for your muscles. Make stress your friend, but learn how to rid yourself of it when it’s overstayed its welcome.
Social Interaction
The technology-driven world we live in means a lot of time spent behind screens and in the addictive grip of social media. But humans are social creatures and we need real life interaction and connection to feel our best.Dr. Heskett talks about the benefits of improving energy and mood through positive social interaction. Real life connections boost feelings of fulfillment and gratitude, while stress and anxiety are reduced significantly and happy hormones soar!What does this mean for you?Are you an extrovert or an introvert? For optimum health, the goal is to have several positive interactions every day, but the kind of experiences you seek will be dependent on whether you thrive more in crowds, or one-on-one conversations. Figure out what works for you and do more of that!
Ready to welcome a little extra energy into your life?
You know what to do… more sleep, sex and social interaction, plus better stress management and you’re good to go!Notice we didn’t mention diet or exercise in there even once? Ok maybe a little stress reducing yoga but hey! Isn’t it nice to hear that the answer to your problems isn’t more kale… for once?
Read the book
If you're keen to read more, check out Dr. Heskett's site... then get out there and start enjoying all those wonderful S'!