The process to achieve improved health must involve the body, mind, and spirit. Dr. Akin believes there are five main facets in a more alternative and holistic health approach. When you incorporate these into your life, you will reward yourself with a life filled with high energy, vitality, and a tremendous passion for living!

Facet #1: A Positive Mental Attitude

Just as the food you eat eventually reaches your blood stream and nourishes all of the cells of your body, your thoughts are the food that nourishes your mind. More and more evidence is showing that what you think, feel, and internally represent has a tremendous affect on the way our body functions. Positive thoughts bring about positive conditions. Just like negative thoughts bring about negative conditions. Remember to laugh and smile. It takes more negative energy and muscle groups to frown than it does to smile.

For information, see the effects of positive emotions on our body chemistry.

Facet #2: Diet, Nutritional Supplements, and Detoxification Programs

Food is one of the most important life forces that are essential to sustain every living thing. The other sources are air, sleep, water, and sunlight.

A healthy diet and nutritional supplements should provide optimum levels of all nutrients known and low levels of food components that are hazardous to our health. Simply put, you are what you eat.

Facet #3: Exercise and Flexibility

The health benefits of exercise cannot be overstated. The body’s response to exercise becomes stronger, functions more efficiently, and has greater endurance. It can improve your memory, give you a mood boost, as well as reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer. Regular exercise not only makes people look better, but also makes them feel better. Tension, depression, and worries can diminish greatly with exercise.

Flexibility is the most neglected component of fitness, yet the rewards are numerous. It is the key to good posture and spinal and muscle alignment. It can reduce joint pain and discomfort. You can explore flexibility workouts through yoga, Pilates, Alexander technique, Tai Chi, and other relaxation techniques.

Facet #4: Sleep and Meditation

Learning to attain a state of deep relaxation contributes to a sense of well-being and high energy by counteracting the stresses and tensions in your life. Meditation and sleep involves the complete absence of neuromuscular activity and includes the most beneficial kind of rest and replenishment for your mind and body.

Facet #5: Spinal Alignment

Your spine is literally the lifeline from your brain to all parts of your body. Reducing misalignments or subluxations throughout the spine and maintaining spinal integrity by chiropractic adjustments is extremely important to achieving optimum natural health and well-being. By alleviating subluxations, the body now uses its own innate intelligence to heal itself by improving circulation and nerve supply, thus improved health.

Although all this information may be quite elementary, the recommendations are often all that is needed to attain and regain your family’s health. In order to be healthy, you have a CHOICE to make and make a commitment to break some old habits and traditions. The rewards may be difficult to see and feel at first, but you will be satisfied with your dedication and achievements to enjoy life at its fullest potential.

Ralph Waldo Emerson once said, "The first wealth is health."

How to get started:

• Determine your health’s baseline by getting a hair analysis, which tests for mineral deficiencies and toxic metals.
• Incorporate a diet and nutritional protocol geared to you specifically.
• Start a detoxification/purification program to remove environmental toxins, chemicals, and heavy metals.
• Eat organic and free-range foods.
• Eat more raw foods.
• Avoid processed foods.
• Start walking, stretching, and weight-training.
• Learn to relax and take time for yourself. Find a health spa.
• See your chiropractor to reduce spinal alignments.
• Have your amalgam fillings removed. (See Holistic Dental Association.)
• Alkalize your body.
• Stop worrying and stay positive.
• Avoid negative people and situations.
• Drink plenty of water.
• Chew your food slowly.
• Eliminate junk food and artificial stimulants, sweeteners, and environmental toxins.
• Use only natural cleaning products in your home.
• Use natural brands of toiletries, including shampoo, toothpaste, anti-perspirants, and cosmetics.
• Laugh and smile.
• Enrich your mind, body, and spirit.
• Incorporate feng shui.