Routine

Routine is an essential part of any practice. People who are averse to routine find it much more difficult to accomplish their goals in life. The initial part of practice for many is adaptation to making and following routines. Once the practitioner realizes his dependability in following healthy routines, he/she can then fine-tune those routines as needed or desired. It is the difference, for example, between just working out and body sculpting.

The health practice includes routines which exercise and properly feed mind and body.

An example of a healthy routine is as follows:

• Wake up at 6:30 AM
• Yoga stretches, pushups, situps, hygiene care
• Breakfast at 7:30 AM (med carb, lo fat, hi protein)
• Work, structured activity, recreation, gym until 10 AM
• Break for small snack/meal (lo fat, lo carb, med protein)
• Work, structured activity until noon
• Well balanced lunch (lo fat, lo carb, hi protein, hi fiber)
• Work, structured activity until 3:30 PM
• Break for small snack/meal (lo fat, lo carb, med protein)
• Work, structured activity, gym until 7 PM
• Well balanced supper (lo fat, lo carb, hi protein)
• Recreation, structured activity, work until 9 PM
• Light snack (no fat, lo carb, high fiber)
• Bed at 10:30-11 PM

You might recognize this schedule as the basis of many diet plans and exercise plans. There is a simple reason for that. It works for people of varied body types, genders, weights, metabolisms. Feel free to try it for a week. You could be surprised at its effectiveness.

Those who have trouble with routine really have to overcome that barrier to a health practice. Detoxing from all forms of metabolism-altering or mood-altering substances, such as caffeine, alcohol, marijuana, nicotine, is a great first step in the direction of establishing a practice routine. This need not entail a permanent abstinence from all of these substances. However, the process of detoxing will tell you which substances you need to avoid permanently. Those will be the substances which are most difficult to give up. That difficulty may indicate addiction. Addiction will always prevent a person from establishing a fully effective health practice.

Routine can begin tomorrow. It is unwise to make a great drama about initiating a whole new routine. It is much easier to begin the skeleton of a routine with certain definite times each day which you can be sure will be available to you for your practice. Start with diet and physical exercise first. Then fine-tune the other activities you wish to adopt.

The health practice is a daily work commitment to yourself. It entails building in routines which will reward you in amazing ways if you are faithful to them.

What is the health practice?

Practice is a term used both in Medicine and in Buddhism. Professionals speak of their medical practices. A doctor may speak of his/her oncology, surgical, internal medicine or orthopedic practice, for example. A nurse may may speak of his/her nursing practice. Psychologists and psychiatrists speak of their therapy practices.

The health practice, as discussed in this blog, is the personal practice of daily healthy choices.

Health is not an accomplishment or fixed state for anyone. Health is an ongoing process of informed choices and behaviors. Diet, exercise, relationships, education, work roles, these areas always demand ongoing choices which have effects on a person's health.

This is a blog about the health practice: The daily choices and behaviors which lead to a process of wellbeing of body, mind and spirit. I am interested in hearing about your health practice or health issues. You may email me from my profile page. Your personal information will be held in utmost confidence.