By: the neighborhood health dealer

When I was growing up, my grandmother had a rule in the house when it came to missing school for being sick. You had to have a temperature of 101 degrees or more to cancel your 8 hour shift at the schoolhouse for that day. As you can imagine I had many days where I didn't feel my best and wanted to lay in bed all day to watch cartoons, but if I didn't hit that 101 on the thermometer I might as well forget it.

At the time I felt this was so unfair in light of my classmates that seemed to call out at least one day a week...every week. For the longest I could never understand why I was forced to deal with such a unique inconvienence, so when I got a little older I asked. The answer I received from my grandma was a simple "when I was your age, we didn't run to the doctor or skip school for every little thing." I didn't realize it at the time but she had just given my first lesson in holistic health.

My grandmother was born in 1950, a time that still reflected a self sufficiency that existed within families that hadn't been swept up in the wave of industrialization just some 30 years prior. They didn't always have the luxury of enjoying the amenities of the surrounding cities, and this was also true with matters of health. So they had to become proficient in creating the best quality of life for themselves. I have many memories of drinking hotty totties, a mixture of usually brown liquor, honey, and lemon juice (my grandma didn't drink so she made it without the whiskey haha), and sweating my life away under 2-3 heavy blankets. Buried under a mountain of quilts, I had no clue at the actual power I was witnessing.

Fast forward to 2023, and this has become a lost art. The industry of health makes billions of dollars every year through selling us expensive consultations, medicines, procedures, etc. They've turned your being into a dollar amount and they've mastered the system of milking you for every penny. You've been made to believe that the world is full of germs and sickness that are growing stronger by the day, and the biggest travesty of it all is the misinformation you've been given on what you can do about it.

It's a vicious cycle that's intricately intentional, all for the sake of profit and control. If a person doesn't have a car they have to depend on others for a ride, if they don't have a place stay they move from couch to couch, and if they don't have their own money they live under the wallet of those that do. What's to be said for the person that doesn't control their own health? In my opinion, this person is nothing short of a slave.

The deep conditioning of Western Medicine has mentally paralyzed the majority of our population to a point of suffering unprecendented throughout history. Chronic diseases like cancer, stroke, diabetes, arthritis, depression, anxiety, & more, now run rampant and have been accepted as a part of aging. More and more evidence has become available that shows the link between the lack preventative measures taken by individuals and their families to protect their health, and their dependency on the medical system to save them from any issues that arise.

Hosea 4:6 in the Bible states "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge...". This verse perfectly illustrates the descent we've taken as a society when it comes to taking care of ourselves. We've lost the knowledge of how to heal ourselves and the best ways to nourish our bodies, and currently lack the knowledge of how to combat the detrimental food, water, air, and products we consume everyday. The bad news is that things will only get worse if we continue to participate in this cycle, but the good news is that you don't have to participate.

This is where holistic health comes into play.

Holistic health is defined as an approach to your well-being that addresses the mental, spiritual, physical, emotional, & social aspects of self. The same self that has been separated at every level by those who seek to gain from your suffering. When approaching your health from a holistic perspective, it not only gives you the limitless power you need to free yourself from the medical matrix, but it also allows you to create a life in which thriving is the only option.

You see, my grandmother set me on a priceless trajectory with her unusual rule, and home remedies. She showed me the foundation of self-preservation, which is self sufficiency. Although the mountain of bad habits we've built over the years could be compared to Mt. Everest, it can torn down piece by piece with a firm willingness to do for self.

Making it a point to learn your own bodily system is a necessity and a mechanism of freedom that must be wielded to live above the sickness for profit model that claims the well-being of so many people everyday. We must take the time to learn ourselves in conjunction with our environment. The Creator intricately placed the tools we need to thrive all around us: the food for our nourishment, the herbs for our healing and the mind capable of facilitating the habits necessary to put it all together.

We have a lot of work to do to in taking back our health, and that acquisition will only come with a certain realization. The realization that health is not on any shelf. You can't go buy it and it won't be in your doctor's office, its a lifestyle to be lived. A lifestyle that can only be constructed through following a certain set of methods, and constantly referencing them whenever you begin to stray back into bad habits. To help you build, I've included 5 ways that will undoubtedly put you in the driver's seat of your health today. Peace and blessings from your Neighborhood Health Dealer!

1. Prioritize a Healthy Lifestyle: Taking control of your health starts with making conscious choices to adopt a healthy lifestyle. This includes maintaining a balanced diet, engaging in regular physical activity, getting enough sleep, managing stress levels, and avoiding harmful habits like smoking or excessive alcohol consumption. By making these lifestyle choices, you can significantly improve your overall well-being and reduce the risk of developing various health conditions.
   
2. Get Regular Check-ups and Screenings: Regular check-ups with your healthcare provider are essential for staying on top of your health. Schedule routine physical examinations, and discuss any concerns or symptoms you may have. Additionally, ensure that you receive age-appropriate screenings and tests, such as blood pressure checks, cholesterol levels, mammograms, pap smears, and colonoscopies. Early detection of any potential health issues can lead to more effective treatment and improved outcomes.
   
3. Be Informed and Educate Yourself: Knowledge is power when it comes to your health. Take the initiative to educate yourself about various aspects of health, including nutrition, exercise, mental well-being, and disease prevention. Stay updated with reliable sources of information, such as reputable medical websites, books, or consulting healthcare professionals. Understanding your body and the factors that contribute to good health empowers you to make informed decisions and take control of your well-being.
   
4. Practice Stress Management and Mental Well-being: Mental health is an integral part of overall health. Chronic stress can have detrimental effects on your physical well-being, so it's crucial to incorporate stress management techniques into your daily routine. This can include practices like mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, regular exercise, engaging in hobbies, or seeking support from a therapist or counselor. Prioritize self-care and create a healthy work-life balance to reduce stress levels and promote mental well-being.
   
5. Build a Supportive Network: Surrounding yourself with a supportive network of friends, family, and like-minded individuals can significantly impact your health journey. Engage in activities and social interactions that promote a positive and healthy lifestyle. Joining exercise groups, cooking clubs, or wellness communities can provide motivation, accountability, and a sense of belonging. Sharing your health goals and challenges with others can foster a supportive environment that encourages personal growth and well-being.