Category: Wellness

Peace is something everyone wants, and for good reason. It is a healthier way to live. People who know inner peace are easier to be around. They live longer and feel better. They are happy.

There are some ground rules for the search for inner peace.

-It is a journey, rather than a destination. It’s a refinement process that takes time, perhaps years. The process itself, though, is rewarding.

-It takes practice. We CAN change the way we think; neuroscience research has shown this. We can rewire our brains to accept situations differently and choose an alternate course that is in our best interest. We must want to make this investment.

-Most people who attain it do not live in a state of peace every minute of every day. Humans evolved in a binary environment, so our brains are wired that way. We would not appreciate light but for the dark. In the same way, we would not know peace unless we know turmoil. Living in a state of turmoil, however, is unhealthy. Many dysfunctional situations are not worth fighting, especially when there is limited control over the outcome. It’s better to disengage using peace practices. Other situations may be worth the effort to find a satisfying solution. We can use logic (Precious Logic!) and peace practices to turn these tumultuous situations into friendly ones.

There are different ways to approach the search for inner peace, and expert advice varies especially from different sides of the globe. Most experts agree that finding peace involves not just a singular practice, but a combination of habits that are intertwined and reformed over time.

i.  Practice Gratitude. This is HUGE in any approach that I have read about, and I can endorse it because I practice it and it works! Learn to be grateful for the gifts that have been bestowed on us. Look at situations as “Cup half full” instead of “half empty.” People who are grateful are easy to be around because they are so darn happy! And happiness is infectious. Surround yourself with people who feel gratitude.

ii. Let go of Judgement. This one takes lots of practice. It’s healthier to let go of toxic feelings about past situations rather than harbor unhappy memories in packages that get opened and reopened. When these memories surface, release them like popping soap bubbles. Forgive. Think about something joyful instead. Also, and here’s a BIG one, let go of self-judgement. Learn the practice of self-love. Forgive yourself for past mistakes and know that everyone makes them. Accept yourself as lovable, and then you will be able to experience love in a more meaningful way.

iii. Live in the moment. As individuals living in a fast-paced time-fragmented society, we have been programmed to want to jump to the next “thing” that grabs our attention and not linger where we are. Studies have shown that these rapid-fire attention changes are detrimental to the focus needed to accomplish singular tasks. Slow down. Take deep breaths. Learn to shut out distractions. One way to help with this is through meditation, which results in long-term beneficial changes and can be done just about anywhere, and even during certain activities.

I hope you will join me on this Pathway to Peace. There will be more detail in further blogs.

See you soon!

The Five Healthy Habits

Health, according to Oxford languages, is the state of being free from illness or injury.  The word “health” conveys an image of happy people thriving in a joyful coexistence. Good health allows us to contribute to society, fulfill our personal needs, and enjoy our time on earth with family and friends.

Every person can invest in maintaining their individual health. Staying healthy results in livelongfeelgood. We need to understand our human needs to participate and succeed.

Research has shown that there are five healthy habits that contribute to livelongfeelgood. I hope you choose to come along!

1. Movement. Staying mobile and flexible is an important part of a happy healthy life. As a cardiologist, I see a big difference in people who regularly exercise vs those that don’t, and the divergence begins as early as people in their twenties. Those who adopt an exercise strategy early on stay more active and have fewer injuries as they age.

2. Nutrition. Our bodies are living vessels that house our consciousness and spirit. They need basic components to thrive, such as protein and calcium which are building blocks for muscles and bone. Carbohydrates provide energy, but unless you have the metabolism of an athlete it’s easy to overindulge because carbs are a big component of most snacks, breakfast cereals, and side dishes. Limiting carbs and sugar is the first step to a healthy diet.

3. Engagement. We are a social species. A large part of our brain is devoted to facial recognition and emotional communication. Engaging with others in positive situations is crucial to our survival and overall happiness. We have accomplished our greatest feats when we cooperate to achieve common goals. In the last century, people working together through research and social programs have been able to DOUBLE the average lifespan for those who have access to the appropriate care. There have been quite a few notable inventions in the recent past, but that feat may be the most amazing accomplishment of all. Staying engaged can mean volunteering, babysitting, and even smiling at the grocery store clerk. Complement others and you will feel better!

4. Learning. Staying healthy means keeping an open mind to new ideas. Research shows that those who keep learning are less susceptible to dementia. Have a goal to learn something new every day.  Keep up on news, voice an opinion, but be able to quote a reliable source to back your views.

5. Gratitude. Have you ever heard the comment that someone is “growing old gracefully”? This is a complement to an individual as they deal with increasing challenges that come with age. This usually means that the person is living their life in a State of Gratitude. They are thankful for the good things in life that they enjoy and are happy. They are likeable and easy to be around because they let go of judgement and find peace in their situation.

These five healthy approaches can become habits of a long and prosperous life. If you want to participate in more of livelongfeelgood please return to my website!