Treat Yourself with Love-2

Click here to read part one & three

First Be Your Own Gardener

Undeniably, the first major change in our lifestyle should be to listen more to what our bodies are telling us.

Challenging it may be, but a big part of being healthy is about listening to your body. This is something we were never taught to do. We generally ignore it or medicate it in some way. But we need to treat ourselves with some love and attention.

Kick-starting a serious look at our terrain will mean to learn more and more about what our body is telling us. Think of it as your guide and pay attention to every creak, sore, ache, swelling, digestive issue and more. All if it is telling you to slow down and pay attention to what is going on in your life.

You and I ignore our bodies at our peril. Some of us take more care of our gardens than we do of our bodies, but our bodies need constant attention in line with the seasons. So, too, does the terrain that influences our bodies - our lifestyle and immediate environment. We immunise our bodies against disease by making sure our lifestyle and our close environment is a healthy as possible.

One English surgeon Stephen Paget understood this idea of a connection between our bodies and the earth well. In the Lancet in 1889 he published an article describing his seed and soil hypothesis, which is still considered authoritative 120 years later.

"When a plant goes to seed, its seeds are carried in all directions. But they can only live and grow if they fall on congenial soil."

Utilising gardening as an analogy is ideal - it's good for the soul, in more ways than one. It can be very therapeutic, and when carried out with love, brings about the best blooms of spring.

Rarely do we give our bodies the requisite love, however. If we did, it would make it less congenial - less prone - to disease.

Self-love can be a big health booster. And not only sharing that love with ourselves, but with our family, friends - and twin flame - doubles the benefits. But that means taking time out from our hectic schedules to just be in the moment with those we really love. You'll discover it's a love-boost to the immune system.

Everyone needs some time out to recharge their batteries. Find out what makes you relax the most, and make sure you include this in your weekly timetable.

Label it as a daily treat and add some spirituality to it by making it a ritual - so until the next post in this mini-series on health, go on and treat yourself with love today!

For yours in love,