Smart Quote of the Day January 13, 2025

"The six best doctors in the world:  sunshine, water, rest, air, exercise, and diet."

I tried to find out who to credit this quote to but was unable to verify. Some say Charlie Chaplin, but no. Others say Wayne Fields, author of What the River Knows, but not him either. The AAP Fact Check can trace it back to journals published as far back as 1909, (and sung to the tune of Yankee Doodle.)

Wherever this quote came from, truer words were never spoken as far as our health goes.

Sunshine provides Vitamin D in our bodies–vital for strong bones. Not to mention how it uplifts our mood and makes us feel good in general.

Water makes up approximately 45-75% of our bodies. Our brains are 80% water. Water regulates our body temperature, eliminates waste, and is essential for cellular function. Drink up! Most of us are under-hydrated, me included. I have to make an effort to get more water into me. I get caught up in my work and forget the tea or water I've so carefully provided myself.

Rest is crucial to our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. Everything–and I do mean everything–goes better when we've had at least 8 hours sleep. Lack of sleep can derail us without us being aware until it gets really bad. Sleep-deprived people tend to be more anxious, less able to deal with the curveballs life throws. Create a routine. Give yourself time and space to wind down. Go to bed at the same time and get up at the same time.

Air is obviously essential to our well-being, but have you considered the quality of the air you breathe? Homes, offices, and gyms are filled with dust and other environmental pollutants. Get outside (hopefully not in a high traffic area) and breathe deep, clear out your lungs. Fresh air will strengthen your immune system and help you sleep better.

Exercise gets our blood circulating more efficiently and pumps out our lymphatic system, carrying away waste and pathogens, like taking out the garbage. There have been so many studies done on the benefits of exercise that I'm only going to mention it here as a reminder of how important it is to our well-being.

Diet. I had no idea how important diet is to our health until I got a horse with skin issues. I went looking for the answers and discovered it all came down to Asher's diet before he came to live with us. Then I discovered that certain foods affected our dogs. The real epiphany came when I discovered what I ate affected me in ways I never imagined.

So there you have it. Pay attention to these six "doctors" and live a healthier life.