The Foundational 8 Doctors of Good Health

So often its human nature to over complicate things and with the enormous amount of contrasting information concerning health and nutrition, I'd say human nature is doing a great job confusing the heck out of us once again.

But is there a simple formula to great health?

There is actually.

And when you master these 8 doctors of health it will lay the foundation to every aspect of your health; mind, body, and spirit.

Doctor #1: Fresh, clean, Air

The most essential element to sustain human life is without a doubt oxygen. Without food you will die in a few weeks. Without water you will die in a few days, but without air, you will die in a few minutes. Our blood and cells are completely dependent upon oxygen. Its the most basic and foundational building block to human life.

Fresh air invigorates the vital organs and aids the system in ridding itself of accumulated impurities. Fresh air also brings life to the skin and has a decided influence on the mind. During events of physical exertion oftentimes we neglect the importance of being to think clearly and react appropriately. Elite athletes understand the importance of this.

Clean air contains negative ions which help the immune system fight disease. We know that directly after workouts our immune system is hindered for a short period of time, breathing in clean fresh air will go along way in strengthening you immune system.

In general though the lack of fresh air causes specific problems such as fevers, colds, and lung diseases.

If you can, try to workout outdoors as often as possible. This will promote circulation and increase your body's ability to efficiently use oxygen. When outdoors, in nature, breathe deeply, then expel all the air in your lungs. Repeat this about 3 or 4 times.

Have fresh air ventilating in your home day and night. Clean air is a blessing we so often neglect and you will not heart most nutritionists tell you about its importance.

Doctor #2: Sunshine

Every living thing in our world is dependent on sunlight. Without sunlight nothing would live. the following discoveries show the benefits derived from the sun: It lowers blood sugar and blood pressure; it lowers cholesterol by converting it to vitamin D; it utilizes calcium and phosphorus, keeping your bones strong for the pounding of many exercise regimens; it increases red blood cells, increasing your muscles ability to absorb oxygen; it increases white blood cells; it strengthens the immune system; it calms the nerves and increases adrenaline; it destroys germs on the skin; it reverses jaundice; it increases circulation; and it helps eliminate pesticides and other chemicals from the system.

Again, if you can, try to workout outside in the sun. Many of today’s top athletes do intense workouts on the beach, utilizing the resistance of the sand, but so few realize the amazing benefits the pure air and sunlight are giving their bodies and muscles. If you cannot workout outside try to begin the day with exposing your face and body to the sun for 10 to 15 minutes. Gradually increase your time to 30 to 45 minutes daily. DO NOT GET A SUNBURN. The best time for sunbathing is between 9:00 and 10:00 AM and between 4:30 and 5:30 PM.

If you live in a cold climate and this is also difficult for you then I recommend supplementation of Vitamin D to your daily routine.

Doctor #3: Abstemiousness

Abstemiousness means temperance or self-discipline. If you are an athlete or have been accustomed to a strict exercise regime, discipline should not be something foreign to you. True temperance teaches us to dispense entirely with everything harmful and to use judiciously that which is healthful.

In order to have your muscles, lungs, and heart running at peak level, it's all about keeping your blood free from all impurities that are harmful. This includes liquor, drugs, tobacco, overeating, eating between meals, sugar-laden foods, strong condiments and spices, all caffeinated foods (chocolates and some sodas contain caffeine, as do coffee and tea), large combinations of foods, grease and fat, excess salt, and animal foods.

“Indulgence in eating too frequently, and in too large quantities, overtaxes the digestive organs, and produces a feverish state of the system. The blood becomes impure, and then diseases of various kinds occur.”—Review and Herald, September 5, 1899

(Giving up these things can be very difficult to do. If you require help in giving up any of these things I suggest a private consultation where I will be able to provide you with a more comprehensive and individualised strategy, with further resources)

Doctor #4: Rest

We can get so focused on our exercise regimen and our nutritional program that we neglect the extremely vital role that rest plays. In order for the muscles and body to heal it requires plenty of rest. This is absolutely non-negotiable. Sleep is the greatest rejuvenator; it restores strength to muscles, nerves, and brain. During sleep the body repairs, re-energises, and prepares for renewed activity.

Try to get to bed earlier. One hour of sleep before midnight is equal to 2 hours of sleep after midnight.

During a day of work and activity, toxins build up in our system which cannot immediately be thrown off. These toxins produce fatigue—that well-known weariness at the end of the day. Sleep gives the body time to expel wastes and to make repairs.

“Rest is not synonymous with sleep. There are 4 types of rest:

1) Physical Rest—sitting, lying down, or relaxing. Not eating late at night or before bed.

2) Sensory Rest—quietness and refraining from using the eyes.

3) Emotional Rest—a withdrawing from the ups and downs caused by personal interaction.

4) Mental Rest—a detaching of the mind from all intellectual demands or activity.

Your Prescription:

First, get the sleep your body needs, 6 to 8 hours a day and several hours before midnight. Second, do not neglect the mental, emotional, sensory and spiritual rest we need. Set aside time every week where you can be in nature, away from the city, away from your struggles and problems. Sit in a Jacuzzi. Walk in a forest or by a lake, go to the ocean, or read the Bible. Do not neglect the healing of your soul.

Doctor #5: Exercise

Most people know this one but oh how often we neglect it and make excuses. "I don't have enough time", "I'm too tired", blah blah blah. Its time to put away the excuses, our lives and those that depend on us need us to be healthy and strong.

Studies are finding that exercise is an important factor in the fight against cancer and many other illnesses and diseases.

Doctor #6: Water

I’m sure this is basic and logical to you but I’m going to share with you things about water your average personal trainer or nutritionist won't share.

The body requires water constantly. Most of this water is recycled within the body itself. However, it must have a replacement of eight glasses of water per day. Cleansing of waste material is a daily task for the body, not only from its own wastes, but from the constant bombardment of germs and viruses, and in today’s society, from chemicals and drugs. If the body is not thoroughly cleansed, it is forced to break down.

Many make a mistake in drinking cold water with their meals. Taken with meals, water diminishes the flow of the salivary glands, and the colder the water, the greater the injury to the stomach. The best time to drink your water is a half hour before or an hour after your meals. A couple large glasses of hot water first thing in the morning will assist your bowels in elimination.

Other benefits and uses of water include hydrotherapy, hot and cold fomentation, enemas, etc.

Doctor #7: Nutrition

Proper nutrition doesn't have to be complicated: lots of greens, lots of vegetables, lots of fruits, nuts, beans, legumes.

Its not rocket science. Eat more of the healthy stuff and less of the not so healthy artificial things.

Foods should be prepared with simplicity and variation.

Avoid sugar. It is not good for the stomach, because it causes fermentation.

Milk and sugar clog the system, irritate the digestive organs, and affect the brain. Sugar, when largely used, is more injurious than meat.

Eat raw vegetable salads or raw fruits before the main course. This will stimulate and assist digestion, and help avoid overeating of cooked foods. Fruits and vegetables should not be eaten at the same meal. Eat fruits at one meal and vegetables at another.

Eat sparingly—for strength and not for drunkenness. The benefit you derive from your food does not depend so much upon the amount eaten, as upon its proper combination and thorough digestion. Neither does gratification of taste depend so much upon the amount of food swallowed as upon the length of time it remains in the mouth. Overeating slows down our bodies and brains, and even affects our emotions and character and inhibits our ability to make sound decisions.

Take time to eat and enjoy mealtimes. Avoid eating compulsively or when emotionally upset, in pain, or overtired.

In grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds are found all the food elements to make good healthy blood.

REMEMBER, include in the diet a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, dark leafy greens, more raw foods, whole grain cereals and breads, vegetable proteins from sources such as dry beans, peas, and other legumes (soybeans, garbanzos, kidney beans, pintos, lentils, etc.), tofu, nuts, seeds, and soybean or rice milk.

Doctor #8: Trust in Divine Power

This one might seem strange to you but it makes logical sense when you take into account the that more and more science has come out showing evidence that the universe is extremely finely tuned and the odds that life came out of non-life are impossibly low.

Science is proving that our bodies are also extremely fine-tuned and the amount of organized information in our DNA is more complex than this article you are reading.

With that being the case all of life and healing must originate with God.

But trusting in God has been proven to significantly alter our physiology by reducing stress significantly and promoting healthy happy emotional and mental states. Helping many overcome depression and even illnesses and diseases.

To deny the role of the spiritual is to deny who we truly are and to deny that life has meaning. More and more studies are showing that when we neglect our spiritual health, it has an enormous impact on our physical bodies.

Give it some thought and try seeking out God for yourself. It won't hurt.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart, and lean not unto thine own understanding …it shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones.” Proverbs 3:5, 8

What is His desire for your life?

“Beloved, I wish above all things that you may prosper and be in health, even as your soul prospereth.” 3 John 2

God wants us to be healthy and happy. Don't believe the false narrative that He is only looking down upon us to condemn and judge us. God is love. Allow Him to show you and He will.

Does a lack of trust create a negative influence?

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” Proverbs 17:22

Remember, worry, stress, and depression bring decay, disease, and death. The immune system is strengthened by trusting God.

The foundation of all health is in the acceptance of the blessings which the Creator has provided for us. Foremost of these is the privilege we have of choosing our Saviour to be our Guide as well as our Great Physician. In fact, the divine purpose of our physical healing is to make us more inclined to accept the spiritual healing Christ longs to perform upon our hearts.

There is an inexpressible peace that comes to one who has learned to trust in God and to lay all things in His hands. I can speak from experience. In Matthew 11:28 Jesus says, “Come unto Me…and I will give your rest.” Rest from sorrow, rest from fear, and rest from insecurity. But first we must come to Him as our Great Physician.

“Keep your wants, your joys, your sorrows, your cares, and your fears before God…. ‘The Lord is very pitiful and of tender mercy.’ James 5:11. His heart of love is touched by our sorrows and even by our utterances of them…. Nothing that in any way concerns our peace is too small for Him to notice. There is no chapter in our experience too dark for Him to read; there is no perplexity too difficult for Him to unravel. No calamity can befall the least of His children, no anxiety harass the soul, no joy, cheer, no sincere prayer escape the lips, of which our heavenly Father is unobservant, or in which He takes no immediate interest. ‘He health the broken in heart and bindeth up their wounds.’Psalm 147:3.” — Ellen G. White, Steps to Christ, p. 100

Conclusion

These 8 doctors are the foundation, the very bedrock of health. When we neglect even one of these it can have extremely harmful consequences to our well-being and the well-being of our loved ones.

Master these basics and watch your life transform before your very eyes.