FOUNDATIONS OF HEALTH

by Julie Stankiewicz, M.A., CARE Founder and President  

“The doctor of the future will give no medication but will interest his patients in the care of the human frame, diet and in the cause and prevention of disease”—Thomas A. Edison 

At CARE, it is our goal to help people to improve health by providing high quality, evidence-based educational health resources. We want to make the science of self-care and healthy living accessible to everyone. If you are interested in the topics below, keep an eye out for our upcoming programs in which we plan to explore self-care practices in much greater depth. Follow us on Facebook or email us at info@careaboutinvisibleillness.org so that we can contact you when our self-care programs become available.

We understand the extreme difficulties in navigating chronic illness, and that proper self-care is of the utmost importance for people who already have health challenges. Our intention is to provide a wide range of perspectives and content with the understanding that our audience is diverse in their needs and at different places in their health journeys. We acknowledge that not all of the resources provided in our programs are suitable for every individual, and we encourage you to consult with your own healthcare provider before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. 

It is empowering to know that there is so much that you can do to improve your own health. Below are the self-care topics that we will be exploring in our programs:

The nutrients that we consume in our food literally become the building blocks of our cells. When we make a conscious choice to eat nutrient-rich foods, we are choosing to create healthy new cells. Food truly is medicine. 

• Dietary Patterns: Dietary patterns describe the types of foods people eat and in what ratios these foods are consumed. Choosing a healthy dietary pattern that fits you as an individual is one of the most fundamental aspects to maintaining or regaining health.

• Food quality: The quality and purity of food ingredients is equally as important as the types and quantities of food consumed.

• Diet in Chronic Illness: We acknowledge that for people with chronic illness, some foods that are generally considered healthy for the population as a whole may not be beneficial, and individual adjustments may need to be made based on a person’s unique health challenges.

•  Nutritional Supplements: Nutritional supplements have a wide variety of roles in supporting health. Nutritional supplements may be used to provide essential nutrients, decrease inflammation, or serve as natural anti-viral, anti-bacterial, or anti-fungal agents, among numerous other purposes.

• Supplement Quality: It is important to note that not all nutritional supplements are created equally. Because dietary supplements are not strictly regulated in the ways that pharmaceutical drugs are, it is necessary to understand how to choose products that are safe, effective, and not contraindicated in your individual circumstance.

To understand the rise of chronic and invisible illnesses, we must understand that in recent history, the world has become polluted with toxins previously unknown to humankind. To improve or maintain health, it is essential to learn how to reduce our exposure to toxins as much as possible, including those found in our food, air, water, personal care products, and products we use in and around our homes.

This information is particularly relevant for people suffering from chronic illness and their caregivers, given that people with chronic health problems may be more vulnerable to the effects of environmental toxicity than the general population. 

There is an abundance of ideas, strategies, and practices from the world’s wisdom traditions to help you experience love and happiness even if you are struggling with your physical health. 

“Pythagoras said that the most divine art was that of healing. And if the healing art is most divine, it must occupy itself with the soul as well as with the body; for no creature can be sound so long as the higher part in it is sickly.” ~ Greek philosopher Apollonius of Tyana

Exercising Regularly: Regular physical exercise offers numerous benefits, not only for physical health but for mental and emotional health as well. Finding ways to incorporate physical activity into everyday life is a fundamental aspect of an optimally healthy lifestyle.

Physical Activity in Chronic Illness: At CARE, we understand that chronic illness can severely limit exercise at times, and we explore strategies to begin increasing movement in this difficult circumstance.

Restful sleep has numerous benefits for the mind, body, and spirit. With regular commitment to behaviors that promote healthy sleep patterns, as well as other healthy lifestyle behaviors, sleep will likely come naturally.  

As mentioned at the beginning of this page, we have plans to explore each of the self-care topics above in much greater depth. If you are interested in further information in our programming to improve health through the science of self-care, please follow our Facebook page or email us at info@careaboutinvisibleillness.org so that we can notify you when these programs become available.

This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes only and does not address individual circumstances. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment and should not be relied on to make decisions about your health. Always check with your own healthcare provider before taking a new supplement and before making any significant diet, lifestyle, exercise or other changes. Never ignore professional medical advice in seeking treatment because of something you have read on this site. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your doctor or dial 911.