I know…it’s confusing. With SO much information out there on health and fitness it’s hard to know what the heck you should listen to – plus it seems like most of the time all this info is conflicting anyway!
One day you’re reading a magazine article that says something is good for you, but then later on that night on the TV news it’s reported by “experts” or researchers to be “bad”. Or maybe you’re at lunch with friends, or at your kids daycare and someone mentions the latest “miracle” food or “must-try” exercise.
How do you know who to listen to and what to believe?
Here’s an easy little formula I use to filter all of the information I come across on health and wellness:
1. Always consider the SOURCE of your info!
The diet, health and beauty industry is BIG, BIG, BIG bucks.
Food manufacturers, advertisers and marketing departments invest millions of dollars to manipulate, target and design their products for one primary purpose: for you to BUY them. Unfortunately this can lead to integrity leaks and conflicts of interest, which can then result in misrepresentation of various factors including the actual nutrient/calorie content of a food/product, the quality and source of ingredients, its effectiveness, purity, etc.
In addition, seems like everyone’s got an opinion of what they think is “the best”thing to try, what’s legitimate or “true”…yet unfortunately, even with the best intentions, just because it’s someone’s opinion, or what they “heard” or read, doesn’t mean it is factual or accurate.
Therefore, it is crucial to have extremely high standards of where you get your info (no, your hairdresser’s sister or that gossip magazine article don’t qualify) and then verify the validity from a reputable source. One of my favorite resources for health and wellness information is www.mercola.com: the world’s #1 Natural Health Website. Another favorite resource of mine is the Townsend Letter: which is a peer-reviewed, medical journal that examines and reports all the latest info on alternative, natural and conventional medicine.
2. Use your own brain/intuition!
Once you consider the legitimacy of the source of your information, engage your own brain and gut feelings!
It’s important to stay open to learning and growing, so consider the claim, expert opinion or resource/advice but then think for yourself and draw your own conclusion based on your individual circumstances and trial and error.
Ask yourself:
– Does this claim/advise seem logical?
– Is it based in sound, healthy concepts?
Or does it violate any Laws of Nature or maybe even simply seem like a fad, hype or trend?
Take a deep, cleansing breath, get grounded and clear and then consider the claim. See how it “feels” in your body. What’s your first intuitive “hit” on something? Does it feel right? Then have confidence in your own inborn detective instincts and intuition and follow it.
3. Listen to the feedback from YOUR body: your energy after, moods, mental focus, cravings, weight, digestion, etc.
This tip is more detail on tip #2.
At the end of the day, YOU are the expert on YOU. No one, yes NO ONE, can tell you how something feels inside you and what your intuitive voice is telling you.
I’ve learned over the years, the healthiest people are those who’ve become experts on themselves.
So we must learn what our body’s unique “language” of communication is. It’s different for each of us. For some it’s a gut reaction, like butterflies in the stomach, for some it’s a subtle increase/decrease in energy, for others it’s a “lightness” or “heaviness” they feel all over. For me I have learned to notice something I call my “Inner Smile”. When something is “right” for me I’ve learned to feel like my body…well…kind of “smiles” from the inside…and then I know it’s a “Yes!” for me.
Therefore to be able to know if something is right for you, whether it be if the last meal you ate was good for you or even if someone you just met is has your best interest at heart, we each have to learn our own body’s intuitive language – and that just takes a little time and attention.
Where to Start
Begin with remembering to stop what you’re doing, close your eyes, get grounded, go within, and then ask your body what it is you want to know. How does it “feel” on the inside…and then pay attention to the feeling/answer. Your body will never steer you wrong. It has no ulterior motives or conflicts of interest. It only wants balance, and optimal health for you and is constantly working hard to keep you in that state.
You might not get clear answers at first. But stick with it and watch and see how your own best Doctor is simply within. 😉
