The S&A Health Report: Healthy Holidays 2006
Happy Holidays, everyone!
Today the weather is spectacular in my hometown, Augusta... In fact, it’s been hard for me to stay inside because I want so desperately to get out and plant the 2,000 or so bulbs I picked up last week at Home Depot for half-price. Yes, winter will be here soon... and like this time last year, I want to share with you the 12 most important things I do for my health. Many of these are simple, others take some energy and time... But I guarantee they will pay you back with more energy and even more quality time if you try them.
You’ve already heard about a few of these… I’ll share details on the others in 2007. The list is in order of what I think is most important for your health. If you can only afford a little bit of time... please at least consider the first six.
1. I try to get at least eight hours of SLEEP. (This is hard to do when I’m on call at the hospital.)
2. I lie down on the floor and STRETCH once a week. This may be the most important thing I do… in fact, there are incredible benefits to doing more. I also do YOGA whenever I travel.
3. I take one 325 mg ASPIRIN every week (the simple but miraculous effects last about seven to 10 days).
4. I make sure to get SUN on my body all year long – but especially during the winter. (Several studies came out this year finally admitting that sun may not cause the cancers we thought it did... hmmm...)
5. I MEDITATE once a week, usually in the morning. For some, religious services and prayer provide an equivalent physiologic response. Creating peacefulness and mindfulness within yourself is a wonderful way to find happiness. Mediation has these benefits and more.
6. I try to regularly (at least monthly) get a full body MASSAGE (often for 90 minutes and usually with hot stones). Doing this is a simple way to ensure that toxins are cleared from your body. Plus, if you find the right person, the energy flow and “recharging” can be truly life altering.
7. I take VITAMINS:
| • | 1,000-3,000 mg of VITAMIN C every day (timed-release of course). |
| • | 200-400 IU of VITAMIN E daily (the all-natural eight-isomer kind from GNC). |
| • | SELENIUM (100 mcg) and ZINC (50 mg) once a week |
| • | One MULTIVITAMIN about every three or four days (you don’t need more than this). |
8. I eat FRUIT whenever I can. (berries are especially good for you).
9. Smells can be uplifting and stimulating to the soul, body, and mind. (I highly recommend the book History of the Senses.) I try to drop a few splashes of my favorite ESSENTIAL OILS around the house (on the inside of pillowcases, on the side of the air cleaner, on the bathroom rug, on the papers in the trash can in my study, etc.). Aromatherapy is a luxury to be afforded!
10. I drink one glass of WINE each weekend day.
11. I avoid sharing or TASTING from other people’s drinks (this and Vitamin C will practically guarantee you never get a cold again).
12. I take an ANTIBIOTIC once a year (Zithromax will be the choice this year) whether I am sick or not. This helps me avoid and delay the onset of many inflammatory diseases caused by infections/pathogens that persist within the body.
These 12 things are so simple that they may not seem important. But I look for simple, cheap, and safe things to do that improve the long-term quality of my life. You can, too.
In 2007, I will work hard to help you achieve that.
Here’s to your health, wealth, and a long life of quality.
Happy Holidays,
Dr. David Eifrig Jr.
P.S. A special thanks to those at Stansberry & Associates who give me the encouragement and opportunity to share with you these ideas for health.