By Dr. Joe Manza DC, CACCP - Webster's Friendly Neighborhood Chiropractor
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The truly amazing thing about us humans, aside from our opposable thumbs, is our ability to make choices. For the most part, we have the ability to choose what physical actions we are going to take at any given moment; equally important is what we choose to think about and our self-talk.
At times, our actions dictate our thoughts and vice versa, but that is not always the case. For instance, there are many stories recounted by holocaust survivors regarding their mental choices when faced with their absolute lack of freedom. Click the link to read about the choice one young prisoner made: Free will inside the Nazi death camps – Research Digest (bps.org.uk)
Now if we are to entertain any discussion about creating health, it must center around our ability to choose what actions and thoughts we are or are not going to create. One thing I’ve noticed from being in practice for so long is that when people come into the office for the first time and we start to discuss the “whys” and “hows” of their concerns, it inevitably comes down to the choices they’ve made on a daily basis over many years. These choices are no longer choices. Their choices have evolved into habits which may be detrimental to their health over long periods of time.
Recently, after taking a moment to listen to the clues my body was sending, and based on some examination findings, I decided to make the conscious choice to drink more water – a gallon each day. With our body being composed of 60% water and plenty of research showing the benefits of being and staying properly hydrated, my choice was easy to act upon. Much to my wife’s chagrin, I carry around the pictured gallon water bottle. This bottle helps to make my choice both mentally and physically easier. All the water I need in one jug without making multiple trips to the sink with motivational encouragement printed right on the side. This choice to create more health in my life was a no-brainer.
Now that you’ve had time to read (and reread) last month’s article, which helped you determine how you were doing, it is now time to be decisive and choose an action to create more health in your life. For the most part, we innately know if something is good or not, or if something is in need of tweaking. If we listen carefully to the clues our body is sending us, we will have an easier time making the appropriate choices rather than running on auto-pilot and doing or thinking what we’ve always done or thought.
Take a moment to examine some of your current habits, which were at one time choices. When you are ready to choose, start small as it can get overwhelming. Some great health-creating choices to consider are reading more, journaling, saying affirmations, exercising, eating fruits and veggies, visiting your doctor for that long overdue physical, making regular dental and chiropractic spinal health check-ups, getting a pet... There are endless possibilities.
Please make sure to consult the appropriate healthcare provider before making health changes.
Of course, you also have the choice to not choose and keep things the way they are. But think about this: now that you know you have the ability to exercise your choice, you are indeed making a choice. Making one choice flexes your choosing muscle. Keep flexing to create more and better health. I started with choosing to change my long-ingrained, auto-pilot habit of not drinking enough water… what will YOU choose to start creating more health?
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Dr. Joe Manza DC, CACCP runs a chiropractic office located in the Village of Webster.