[print-me do_not_print=”.noprint”]Doctor’s fees and medication bills often cost us many thousands of dollars and we
still battle to overcome our illnesses and ailments.  If you were given a free Doctor’s consult with free treatment and medications how would you feel?

Well, God has done just that.  He has given us Eight Laws which not only maintain our health but in many instances can help us regain what we have lost.  They are so simple that it’s almost hard to believe, but we guarantee that if you try them you will begin to feel their benefit almost immediately and you will make a NEW START in life.

N = Nutrition

Our bodies need fuel to run at its highest efficiency.  But not just any fuel.  It needs the highest quality.  There are six main nutrients that our bodies require.  They are the following:

• Carbohydrates
• Lipids (oils & fats)
• Proteins
• Vitamins
• Minerals
• Water

Ensuring adequate amounts of these nutrients are being consumed daily is Number 1 of the eight laws.

E = Exercise

“Those who make no time for exercise will sooner or later have to make time for illness” Earl of Derby, 1873.

In today’s society where everything is at your fingertips (we drive cars to work, take the lift to the office and sit at computers to work), exercise is the one thing that we neglect.  And yet its health benefits are mind boggling!  Exercise keeps the heart healthy, keeps joints, tendons and ligaments flexible, improves bone density, reduces effects of aging, improves thinking, increases your energy and endurance, helps you sleep better, helps maintain a healthy weight and on top of it all greatly assists in stress management!

Here are some great tips to help you incorporate more exercise into your daily life:

• When cleaning the house, see how fast and furious you can do it
• When going shopping, park in the furthest car park from the entrance
• Ride, walk or run to work
• Find a friend or neighbor to spend a few times a week walking
• If you have land, cultivate a garden – it surprisingly works out a large part of your body

You will not regret obeying this health law.  It will bring wonderful results!

W = Water

Water is the basis of all life and that includes your body. Your muscles that move your body are 75% water; your blood that transport nutrients is 82% water; your lungs that provide your oxygen are 90% water; your brain that is the control centre of your body is 76% water; even your bones are 25% water [1. www.thewatercure.com].

So, how is your water intake coming along?  Contrary to popular opinion, water does not equal tea, coffee or soft drinks. 

It may take a little bit of habit breaking to consume more water in the day but it is achievable and your body will thank you for it.  Here are some tips:

• If you work at a desk, keep a cup of water at your computer and take little sips throughout the day, re-filling the glass whenever empty
• If you are a busy Mum at home, carry a water bottle around with you (at least 1.5 litres) and sip away at it whenever you can
• If you do heavy work (ie tradesman) you will be able to get into the habit a little bit faster if you keep your water bottle with you constantly.
• Add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to plain water to add variety

Approximate daily intakes of fluids in litres per day varies to the size of the person.  The following [2. http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Water_a_vital_nutrient] is a guideline only:

• Infants 0–6 months – 0.7
• Infants 7–12 months – 0.9
• Children 1–3 years – 1.0
• Children 4–8 years – 1.2
• Girls 9–13 years – 1.4
• Boys 9–13 years – 1.6
• Girls 14–18 years – 1.6
• Boys 14–18 years – 1.9
• Women – 2.1
• Men – 2.6.

S = Sunshine

The sun is the most wonderful gift that has been given to us and promotes life throughout the world.  However, for some reason we tend to get so busy we don’t soak it up or we give it so much respect that we slap on the sunscreen, cover ourselves with hats and don’t let even one ray in.

Too much sun, of course, can cause harm, especially for young children, however at least 10 – 15 minutes of unprotected exposure of the face, arms and hands before 10am or after 3pm, three to four times a week, will give you enough vitamin D without skin damage.

Vitamin D is vital for our overall health.  It helps maintain strong bones, strengthens our immune system, helps with blood pressure regulation and protects against depression [3. Myers, D G, Psychology, 7th Edition, Worth Publishers, 2004]. 

Some of us can be more susceptible to Vitamin D deficiencies, for instance those who are naturally dark skinned, the elderly or housebound or those in institutional care, babies and infants of Vitamin D deficient mothers, patients with osteoporosis and people with impaired liver or kidney function [4. www.cancer.org].

But for most of us, getting out in the sunshine will greatly improve our overall health, both mental, physical and spiritual.

T = Temperance

What is temperance?  Most dictionaries would describe it as moderation or self-restraint.  In relation to what?  We would say the following:

• Moderation in that which is healthy and complete abstinence of that which is harmful.

Moderation in all things necessary is a healthy decision.  When you eat, don’t eat too much, when you sleep don’t sleep too much or not enough, when you work don’t work too hard – take time to rest.

Abstinence is another healthy decision that you won’t regret.  Abstinence from all things that are harmful will help your body to work at its maximum.  Things like Alcohol, Cigarettes, Coke, Tea and Coffee all have a stimulating effect on your body that can wear out your reserve energy.    

Maybe you can take some time to observe your life and see what areas you need to be temperate in.  Maybe it could be spending habits, diet/eating, recreation/amusements, work, study, exercise or cleanliness.

A = Air

Air is the one thing that we cannot survive without for more than five minutes.  Good, fresh air improves our blood circulation and increases supply of oxygen and nutrients to the cells throughout the body.  Your brain, especially, requires a good amount of oxygen for clear thought.  Often when working in air-conditioned buildings or badly ventilated areas we can deprive ourselves of good fresh air.  However, a daily walk by the beach or walk in the park with the dog can help us to make us of this amazing doctor that we cannot do long without.

 R = Rest

Are you getting enough rest?  Are you working too hard, studying too hard or is life just going by so fast that you cannot get enough of this vital doctor in your life?

Rest and sleep provide an opportunity for the body to cleanse, repair, and rejuvenate on a deep cellular level.  Getting too little sleep is defined as less than 8 hours per night.

Some people may find that they can do just fine on very little sleep, however the effect on the body will still be the same in the long term, irrespective of how you can cope with it.  Lack of sleep can impair your reaction time, judgment, vision and information processing, not to mention your short-term memory, performance, motivation, vigilance and patience.

Here are some tips to help you sleep better:

• Maintain regular bed and wake times
• Relaxing bedtime routine: ie. hot bath
• Avoid stimulants (coffee, alcohol, smoking, etc.)
• Room should be dark, quiet, comfortable and cool
• Eat dinner 5 hours before bedtime
• Exercise regularly but finish your workout a few hours before bedtime.

 T = Trust in Divine Power

When things go wrong and there is nothing stable or certain left in our lives it can cause great worry, stress and anxiety.  How did you feel when you found out about the Twin Towers in New York being attacked?  I am sure that every one of us remembers where we were and what we were doing on that day.  It changed the world as we know it forever and caused a great amount of concern and anxiety for many.

To have a trust in a power outside of ourselves, to know that God is in control, he loves us and only chooses the best for us can bring great peace of mind and tranquility even in the midst of chaos.  This in turn prevents the emotional and mental damage that can occur physically in our bodies in times of stress and promotes life and health to our being.

Summary

Not all of us will be able to incorporate these wonderful laws into our lives immediately. It may take time to change habits and build new habits, but it is guaranteed your health will benefit tremendously if you take these laws seriously.  Here are some questions you can ask yourself:

1. Do I get enough sleep at night and enough quiet time during the day?
2. Am I breathing in enough fresh air on a daily basis?
3. Is my diet right, or I am I still eating the wrong foods, too often and too much?
4. Am I getting out in the sun enough ensuring my vitamin D levels are good?
5. Am I reaching for my water bottle on a regular basis or am I still stuck on drinking too many harmful beverages?
6. Do I have an inner peace with God and in my spirit and am I looking with optimism on the bright side of life and the best in the people around me?
7. Do I get out there and use my feet as my number one transporter or am I sitting down still far too much?
8. Is my life rightly balanced and am I practising the temperance code of abstaining from all things harmful and being moderate in the things which are good?

If you have answered any of the above questions in the negative, then set yourself goals and plans and make decisions that will give you a NEW START today. Your destiny and your health is within your own hands and the choices you make today will shape your future for tomorrow!

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