“What are the most important things I can do for my health” is a question I frequently get from clients of mine.

While there are a variety of things that are “good for your health”.

I’d like to circle back to my time studying holistic health, and break it down into two categories.

Primary Health – These are the things that matter most, but often are neglected.

1. Having loving and supportive friendships and relationships – This is probably the largest contributor to overall health and happiness. [1]
2. Having a career that inspires you and feeds your soul – I hate to break it to you but your soul draining 9 to 5 is literally killing you.[2]
3. Having hobbies that bring joy to your life and keep you developing as a person – Do you have a sport that you love to play? Or perhaps an instrument? Bonus points if it is a group activity.
4. Having some form of spiritual practice – this could be as simple as meditation, anything to make you feel gratitude, connected to life and aware of its impermanence.

Secondary Health – These are the things that most people know they should be doing.

1. Having a diet rich in vitamins and minerals – Eat for color, quality and simplicity. Opt for high quality whole foods sources that are loaded with the micronutrients your body needs to function properly.[3]
2. Pay attention to your body – A big reason people are unhealthy is because they either aren’t familiar, or choose to disregard the natural cue’s their bodies give them. Listen to your body when it is full, listen to your body when it is thirsty, and most of all listen to it when a certain food makes you feel like shit! You are always your best teacher.
3. Decrease your toxic load and eat local organic – Unfortunately in todays world there are more endocrine disrupting chemicals, preservatives, pesticides and artificial additives than you can probably imagine. Eat local organic as much as possible to ensure that you’re limiting your intake of harmful substances.
4. Sleep well and deep – Sleep is not only the time that our body detoxes most, but it also releases the bulk of our regenerative hormones, like HGH.

5. Exercise – An object in motion stays in motion. Keep your body moving, Doing some resistance training, martial art, swimming, yoga, etc. Are all awesome ways of keeping your body strong, healthy and flexible.

Ok Dan… but why are those secondary health objectives not as critical as connection with others and a fulfilling career?

I’m glad you asked.

There was once a small coal mining village, mostly made up of Italian immigrants who migrated to the states for a better life.

These folks worked long days, they smoked, and ate probably a few too many calories at their social gatherings.

However.

This was a community in which everyone knew each others names.

On friday nights they would all get together to break bread, dance, laugh and tell stories.

This was a vibrant community full of love, laughter and connection.

They were also a community with plenty of elders a finding that was shocking given that coal mining can be detrimental to ones health.

For good reason this sparked the interest of a few scientists who followed the community on a cross generation study and discovered that despite all of the indulgences..

These folks, from a small italian american coal mining village had the lowest risk/ instances of heart disease at the time.

So why is this important?

It’s important because it speaks to the power of human connection as the most powerful component to our health.

In an age where we are hyper digitally connected, we are more disconnected from one another than ever before.

I encourage you to place stock in BOTH your primary health as well as your secondary health for TRUE lasting health.

Lastly,

If you are finding yourself needing a hand in either of these areas.

Don’t go at it alone.