Topic Summary first:
- Why is Rhythm important?
- How I build rhythm and good Habits in my life.
Why is Rhythm important?
I believe most of us understand that:
- Good Habits and Routines Guide us towards optimal health.
- Our body and Minds really thrive with natural rhythms.
Healthy individuals AND really successful people, you see a common pattern – they all have healthy routines and habits.
Example: Bill Gates: reads 1 book a weak
My neighbour: PE teacher. Has a great exercise routine, even though she’s social distancing.
If you ask them, “ Is it HARD to be healthy?” to exercise daily, or read a book a week. They say no, because it’s automatic for them – Autopilot.
The brain has this amazing ability to put many activities on autopilot. Meaning, we don’t need to waste energy thinking about it, we just do it.
For example,
- Driving the same route home everyday, you don’t need to think about it.
- Chores at home. You can be daydreaming and washing the dishes or vacuuming
Autopilot can be good or it can be bad.
It’s bad, if you go on Autopilot to eat junk food at night or if you are addicted to your cell phone/device.
Our Bodies Thrive with Natural Rhythms.
Traditional Chinese Medicine- focus on natural rhythms of seasonal changes, moon cycles, circadian rhythms, growth rhythms: 7 years cycles of females/ 8 year cycle for males.
Biology/ Physiology- rhythms of hormone release, (growth hormones)
- Sleep cycle,
- Rhythm of bowel movements.
Dr. Neetu talked about adrenals and how it needs rhythm.
Dr. Carin talked about Gut health and how it needs
There is an elegant efficiency, when you can let your body go to a natural rhythm.
How I build rhythm and good Habits in my life.
- Simple Tips: Just getting started.
- More Advanced: Transformation
Simple Tips: See if you can do this Challenge for the next 2 weeks:
- Wake up at the Exact time every day. Do something nice for yourself if you wake up before your family. Read a book, climb the stairs for a workout, Meditate.
- Eat breakfast, lunch and Dinner at the exact same time every day!
- Commit to drinking 8 glasses of water daily. (plus or minus 2 glasses of water)
Do these simple things for 1 to 2 weeks in a row, and see how you feel. See if you notice other habits fall into place.
Ideas to Solidify your Habit!
Pick something that you really want to accomplish in the next 30 days. Be really specific.
-
- 25 pullups in a row
- Lose 15 lbs of weight
- QUIT SMOKING.
Make sure you address these 3 things to successfully accomplish a habit:
- Personal Motivation
- Involve People
- Create the Right Environment
Personal Motivation: Get Very Clear WHY you want to accomplish this task. Write down EVERY SINGLE reason you want to accomplish this. Put some emotions around this desire:
Ex. Pullups will give me a stronger back so I’m not in chronic pain. Or pullups will keep my upper body strong so I won’t get injured when I get back into hockey.
Ex. IF I lose 15lbs, I will have less stress on my knees, Reduce my risk of diabetes, I have more energy to enjoy time with friends.
Create a Personal Motivation Statement: BE CRYSTAL CLEAR WHY YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH THIS.
Involve People FIND OUT WHO CAN HELP YOU ACHIEVE THIS. OR FIGURE OUT WHO MIGHT NEGATIVELY INFLUENCE YOU
Ex. Patient who Quit Smoking
- Made a choice to not hang around certain people (10:15 am smoke break)
- Posted this on social media: people supported him.
- Told key friends to check up on him:
- (his personal motivation was high: he could not spend time with his grandchild unless he quit smoking)
Create the Right Environment
- Make the environment Ideal for you
- If you want to lose weight, stop eating junk food. Get rid of the temptation
- If you want to workout in the AM, put your workout clothes right next to your bed.
- Quit smoking: throw out ashtray, cigarettes, lighters.
Please Watch the Last 10 minutes of the Video to hear my personal story of how I implemented all of this!
In health,
Dr. Jeffrey Lee
Naturopathic Physician & Registered Acupuncturist
Check out my Stress Youtube Series here.
