Taking control with healthy habits
Charlotte Walters
Guest columnist
It’s the month of May. At this point, life seems out of control in many aspects from jobs to finances, to health, to no school for our kids. Is there an end?
As a physical therapist in the Swannanoa Valley, my job is to alleviate pain so my patients can enjoy their favorite physical activities and live their life to the fullest. How do we do that under these current restrictions?
There is indeed a light at the end of this mountain tunnel and we need to make sure we come out ready to go. So let’s focus on what we can control; having the ability to move a little each day and feed our bodies with the local nutrition all around us.
It is officially spring, and what a beautiful one it has been. There is plenty of sunshine. Gardens are growing and it is time to get outside.
After a month of social distancing and routine disruption, habits may have shifted. We can’t change the past but we can commit to the future. Let’s talk about three new habits for the next 21 days to finish this month strong with a new routine:
Get outside. You will be happier and healthier for it. Why? Because sunlight automatically changes and brightens your mood. It’s a known fact that our body makes Vitamin D when we walk out in the sun. Vitamin D actually helps those hormones work to make us feel happy. It also makes us that much healthier by giving us a “kick” in the immune pants to fight off all sorts of diseases and illnesses.
Eat one, or more, fruit or vegetable with your meals. The spring harvest is coming in and we are finally seeing some produce that should make us smile and feel good about ourselves. Strawberries may be one of the best fruits, in my humble opinion. Tasting that first deep red, juicy berry after winter sets the tone for spring. That “sweet red” keeps high cholesterol at bay and even helps your joints move easier when you are exercising. Let’s get in some asparagus next; you know, the one that tastes fantastic when wrapped in prosciutto. This springtime power perennial gets extra points because it rids the body of inflammation. No inflammation equals no pain when you are finishing that last mile on your bike. Since you are adding this new habit, buy local and visit Ledford’s in Swannanoa or the Tailgate Market in Black Mountain. Go pick up free produce and recipes to tantalize your taste buds with something new and nutritious from Bounty and Soul.
Exercise. While soaking up your sun in habit number one, jump on the exercise train. Why does exercise make us feel good when we are done? Better breathing, better efficiency with blood circulation and a release of stress. We are blessed to be in one of the most sought after places to live in the entire country. So, start running or get back to it. Set new personal goals for your sport. Take a walk or hike. Set up an obstacle course in your backyard. There are so many activities you can do to increase your heart rate and get stronger in this beautiful location we call home.
Even though our lives have not returned to normal with this pandemic, we can still come out of this healthier and more vibrant in order to live our life to the utmost. We have so many resources right here in this valley to stay happy and well.
Let’s take advantage of them.
Charlotte Walters is the owner of Mountain Wellness & Physical Therapy, a mobile and concierge therapy practice. Her passion is helping active adults overcome chronic pain to live their best life. Mountain Wellness & PT offers telephysical therapy services for social distancing. Charlotte can be reached at Charlotte.Walters@mountainwellnesspt.com. Follow her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/charlotte.walters.509.