“How fine is life when what we want is what we have.” —Tao

I think he was talking about Vitality…

It’s no secret that your personal vitality plays a key role in the quality of your everyday life. And when you create a mindful balance between what you eat, how active you are and what you think and feel, your quality of life will likely put you on the fast track to a happier, healthier you.

If you’ve ever met someone who has vitality, you’ll know it fairly quickly. They have a certain pep in their step. A confident energy that seems to radiate from them. Not a hyper or manic sort of way but rather in a healthy, glowing manner—a certain je ne sais quoi that makes them stand out. Their vitality is palpable. You may acquire that as well by boosting your own vitality by following a few simple rules. The Vitality Rules. 

You see, vitality plays a key role in living a happy and healthy existence. Some may refer to vitality as their own “life force” or simply their energy level. If your energy is low is it possible to naturally ramp up that vital essence within you, in spite of the many physical and mental challenges you may currently face or have faced in the past?

Absolutely.

Do you remember the energy you once had as a child? Running like the wind or riding your bike fast and letting go of the handle bars? That “child” still lives within you. As we age, our bodies often do not reflect the youthful part, the “young at heart” part of ourselves. In this post you’ll discover primary aspects to what I like to call “The Vitality Factor” in living a richly fulfilling existence. It’s your time. It’s time to live your life to the fullest.

Your Body is in a Constant State of Renewal. Case in point --Your DNA is the driving force behind this dynamic mechanism that makes you human. Your stomach lining is completely renewed—all brand spanking new cells—every 4 days. Wow! And the cells that come into contact with food in the digestive process regenerate every 5 minutes. Your liver is renewed every 6 weeks. Your entire skeletal structure, your bones and connective tissue, are regenerated every 3 months. And if that isn’t amazing enough, how about the concept that your entire brain replaces itself every two months? And your entire body, right down to the last atom, is replaced every 5-7 years.

 What if you started doing things differently in order to have a long-term impact upon your whole being? If you could create healthier, “happier cells” by making a few changes in your lifestyle, which in turn would boost your vitality, would you do it?

 “Just living is not enough…one must have sunshine, freedom and a little flower.” —Hans Christian Andersen

Vitality Rule #1 — Eat foods that boost your energy naturally.

If your diet isn’t already rich with fresh veggies, it’s time to take it up a notch. Fresh, roasted, lightly-steamed or blanched vegetables are a true nutritional “gift” to yourself. If you add pigment-rich fresh veggies to your diet, such as broccoli, beets, squash and greens such as kale, your cells will be healthier and more resilient to any type of elements that cause aging and damage to cell membranes and DNA. Other foods that are wonderful for your cells are high-fiber fruits such as fresh berries or apples. You’ll want to stay away from eating too many high sugar fruits such as dried fruit or even bananas. The key is moderation. Why? Because higher sugar, lower fiber fruits and foods in general may be hard on your body due to fluctuations in blood sugar. It’s better, from a vitality standpoint to stick with boosting vegetables in your diet—and fresh is best. Frozen is next. And commercially canned dead last. 

Vitality Rule #2 — Move Your Body.

It’s time to get up and get out. Your body loves to move. That’s what it is designed for—and it is not designed for the “couch potato” lifestyle. Yet, it’s easy to fall into the habit if you don’t watch out. Fear not. The human body can easily shift and adapt to more activity—and will be healthier and more energized as a result. Walking is the number one activity for boosting vitality. The impact of walking upon your bones is a gift—making them stronger as a result. Lifting weights will increase muscle mass—which in turn, will increase muscle cells. The more muscle cells created by working with weights boosts muscle fibers. And, because of this increase you’ll have more mitochondria generating energy. It will also boost your growth hormone and testosterone a bit, which is great for both men and women. Don’t worry! I promise you won’t end up looking like “Arnold” however I guarantee you will look and feel better. Boosting your physical activity will result in a more energetic “you”!

Vitality Rule #3 — Change Your Mind. 

A shift in attitude towards being more positive and mindful can go a long way when it comes to boosting your personal vitality. Vitality begins as a mindset. Let’s face it, as in most positive things in life it starts in the mind. With an attitude or a philosophy. We’re not trees. If we don’t like where we’re planted, we can MOVE. The same goes for our mindset. If we don’t like how we feel or how we’re going through life, we can change. You can change your life, your vitality level by changing the way you look at life. Negativity, thinking negative thoughts and having a bad attitude can have an adverse effect upon you physically. Bernie Siegel, MD. known best for his books “Love, Medicine & Miracles” and “Prescriptions for Living”, has for many years studied the impact of positive thoughts and affirmations upon the physical and mental health of his patients, and in particular those with cancer. The power of thought, especially positive thought has shifted the tides with many of those he has worked with, resulting in those living longer, healthier and happier lives. His advice is to focus upon the present. To not live in the past. Or in the future. Focus upon the now with this affirmation.

“To insure good health: Eat lightly, breathe deeply, live moderately, cultivate cheerfulness, and maintain an interest in life.” — William Londen

There is such a thing as community vitality. At Overture, we try to cultivate the vitality lifestyle within all our properties. It creates a sense of belonging, camaraderie and neighborhood that bonds healthy active people together.

So, find that magical key and unlock your best life possible. And those ABC’s of healthier living will get you acquainted with other letters of the alphabet. Most importantly, the V’s—Vim, vigor, vivacity and of course, vitality.

ABOUT AUTHOR Laura Lewis

Laura Lewis is a media personality, television host, a talk-radio host, producer, motivational speaker and author of the book 52 Ways to a Healthy You. For over two decades, she has been helping people transform their lives by educating and motivating them to make positive changes through diet, exercise and the implementation of healthy lifestyle habits. Laura is the creator of the HypNutrition® program for groups and individuals alike.

Laura obtained her Bachelor of Science Degree in Food and Nutrition from the University of North Texas. An honors graduate from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute located in Tarzana, California, Laura is a certified hypnotherapist with a highly successful private practice in Austin, Texas and offers HypNutrition® coaching worldwide via telephone, FaceTime, or Skype. 

Laura’s passion is to focus upon her whole body-mind approach to achieving and maintaining optimal health, and overall wellness by combining nutrition education and hypnotherapy with individual clients. 

She is available for group or personal sessions.