7.
Positive Mental Attitude
Exercise
There
are three different types of exercise that we need: Aerobic,
stretching, and strength, or resistance training. One of the
best, most suitable and available aerobic exercise we can do is walking.
Experts usually recommend at least twenty minutes three or four times a
week. I highly recommend that you walk outside if possible.
That way you can also take in the sunshine, fresh air, and the life
force all around you, especially if you live in the country. If
not, try to walk in a park, or if you're fortunate enough to live near
the ocean, you can walk along the beach! Bicycling is also a
wonderful aerobic exercise and is so much fun. It is one of my
favorite things to do!
Strength
training is important, especially as we get older. You can buy
simple "equipment" for this, or you can join a gym such as
Curves (for women).
It
is my opinion that the best stretching exercise is yoga.
There are all kinds of yoga classes and books available. See which
one might be best for you. I have been practicing yoga exercises
and breathing for over thirty years. The whole yoga
philosophy of health is a very holistic approach to life and
health. It helps to open up the whole "self" to receive
more Light.
Water
Water
should be as pure as you can possibly get it. I believe that
distilled water is best. Most people need six to eight
glasses each day, or about one half your body weight in ounces.
Dr. Elaine Aron, author of "The Highly Sensitive Person", says
that sensitive people should drink plenty of water, especially
during times of stress. If you do this regularly you will notice an
increase in your energy and general well being.
Also,
dehydration can cause depression, chronic fatigue, and many other
disorders, according to F.
Batmanghelidj,M.D., author of "Your Body's Many Cries
For Water". I
highly recommend his book. You will be in for a surprise.
Sleep,
Rest & Relaxation
In
this day and age of hyper-activity and stress, most people don't
get enough rest. The amount of sleep that you need depends on your
level of activity, temperament, health, and other factors.
Sensitive people usually need more sleep and rest than most people. Some
of us need from eight to ten hours of quality sleep, plus rest periods
and/or meditation or relaxation techniques. I can not
overemphasize the importance of relaxation for HSPs.
Sunshine
Sunshine
is one of our invisible nutrients. Without sunshine there would be
no life. As you may know, some people suffer a seasonal depression
called S.A.D. (seasonal affective disorder) due to lack of sunlight in
the winter months. Sunshine also provides us with vitamin D.
So
make sure you give Dr. Sunshine a visit every chance you get!

In
your meditation, imagine God's healing Light shining on you and
throughout your entire body. It really is there. You only have to
"claim" it through your imagination, which is the language of
the Spirit.
Fresh
Air/Proper Breathing
We
can live without food for weeks, without water for days, but we cannot
live without air, the breath of life, but for a few minutes. To
me, there is nothing more exhilarating than being out in the fresh air,
whether you are walking, hiking, gardening, biking, or
doing anything else you enjoy.
Another
way that I get oxygen/life force into my body is to do slow, deep
breathing. This practice is an excellent way to calm down, and
also helps one to sleep if done just before bedtime. I
also have learned and practiced Transformational
Breathing, as taught by Judith Kravitz, which is transformational indeed.
So
what else can you do to improve your health and well being?
As I have said, each of us is different, but generally,
sensitive people need to be more careful about their lifestyle than
others. However with all the information out there,
which is often contradictory, how do you know which "route" to
take?
Here
is a wonderful Prayer/Affirmation that helps to answer that question:
Say it often!
God
is Healing Me Now
(taken
from Unity's "Daily Word")
"Whether
I am experiencing symptoms of a cold or a challenge of a more serious
nature, God is with me, healing me and guiding me throughout my healing.
The
life of God is within every cell of my body, bringing about a healing,
and in a cooperation of my mind, body and spirit, I am revitalized.
God
inspires my thoughts so that each one is in support of the healing
activity that is taking place throughout my body. Through the still,
small voice I perceive in prayer or through the words of a health-care
professional."
Last but not least. Each of us is unique. Listen to your body, and
follow your Intuition.