Health is Not Just For the Wealthy

If you’ve been listening to the Filled With Less podcast recently, you know that within the last couple months, I’ve become more and more interested in light therapy and the vibrational frequencies of fabric. But several years ago, when I was first learning about the basics of wellness, when someone would bring up similar topics, it was just like a clanging symbol… just noise. Often it was overwhelming to consider these topics when all I was trying to do at that time was read labels on my food and skincare products and find a non-toxic hairspray!

The health and wellness industry is noisy and chaotic. There are so many new and exciting devices, “diets,” and research out there that it’s hard to weed through truth versus fiction. Marketing messages make it sound like everyone needs everything, and everything works for everyone, and it’s just plain wrong.  Due to bio-individuality, genetics, our personal disease states and symptoms, lifestyle, test results, etc., wellness is more nuanced than we are led to believe. And, the sad thing is that some people think that health is for the wealthy.  That they need that "thing" to get better. 

The fact of the matter is, if we don’t already have the basics down, we’re not going to get very far. For instance, using red light therapy for detox while you’re still pouring toxins into your body is counterproductive.

If we’re looking at what we spend money on… the devices, the supplements, and the current hot of the press books to make us healthy, and we ignore the basic way that God created our bodies to thrive, we are in a losing game. If we are not doing all the free and easy things, we are setting ourselves up for failure no matter how much money we spend.  Our God is an awesome God who gave us what we need… free of charge.

So let’s take a look today at all the things that are free.

• Getting to bed on time every night and allowing yourself 7 to 9 hours of sleep is free
• Being intentional about drinking half your body weight in ounces of water every day is free
• Eating at least ¾ of your plate as vegetables is free
• Choosing to eat basic protein, fat, and fiber for each meal is free
• Reading the labels on the food you purchase to make sure you’re not getting excitotoxins, inflammatory fats, preservatives, artificial chemicals, and added sugars is free
• Reading labels on personal care products, and sticking with those that have a healthy EWG rating is free
• Getting together with community, whether it’s a few good friends, or a larger event… maybe coffee hour after church is free
• Spending time every day in prayer, silence, and scripture is free
• Getting outside to take advantage of all of the health benefits of blue light, red light, and infrared light at least 15-20 minutes a day is free
• Moving your body, building muscle, and even working up a sweat is free
• Choosing to guard your lungs against environments with poor air quality is free

What other things can you think of that are free? 

Health and wellness is not about joining gyms, personal trainers, and buying organic food.  Not that these things are bad… of course not.  Purchasing books that motivate you are not bad.  Buying red light panels, grounding mats, linen sheets, sleep trackers, blood sugar trackers, rebounders, and all of the other products out there that support our health are not bad. But first, you need to get the free things down.  Then you will be free to be healthy!