If I asked what Vitality means to you, what would you answer? I expect that most people would answer ‘good health’. One of the leading health insurance companies named themselves Vitality, so there’s something in that! But what is it really? A healthy functioning body, yes, but it’s so much more than that.

For me, it’s more than its obvious meaning of strength and energy, it’s the desire to flourish and shine, to grow and thrive. It’s our spirit. I believe we should all be nurturing our vitality through food, exercise and mindfulness. True inner vitality is achieved when the mind, body and spirit are in perfect harmony. This then presents in our outer vitality, which I think of as the window to our health – our skin, eyes, teeth and body weight – they all reflect what’s going on inside. A happy, healthy mind enables us to achieve more physically and when the mind and body are harmonious, well that’s when we truly experience a feeling of vitality.

There will undoubtedly be times in our lives when we lack vitality for various reasons; when pain, depression or illness dim our natural rhythm and energy, so we feel anything but strong and vitalised. So, how do we overcome that? How do we revitalise and achieve balance when it feels like things are working against us? 

There are many things and many ways, but here I just share a few that I hope will help you tune in and increase your positive vibration in this crazy, but beautiful world we share.

Following nature’s cycle

Being harmonious with nature is a great place to start. We are all part of nature’s cycle and honouring the seasonal rhythms and the effect they have on our energy levels, sleep patterns and food cravings, is something we shouldn’t ignore if we want to achieve vitality and balance. 

Our natural circadian rhythms shouldn’t be ignored. If you are happier rising with the sun, then do your best to follow this instinct. If you need warming, heartier food in the winter months, don’t deny yourself, it’s your organs way of asking for a duvet! If your energy levels are low, wrap up warm and go out in nature for some fresh air, gentle exercise and hopefully, winter sunshine, for the most wonderful, natural boost you can give yourself. Then hunker down by the fire and resist the temptation to stay up late – save that for the summer months when our internal batteries are fully charged by the sun in her full, powerful glory. 

We can’t match the power of nature, so let’s harmonise and honour her instead, by embracing our compatibility. Let’s work with her, not against her.

Food for energy and healing

Clichéd as it may sound, you are what you eat. I think we have lost sight of the true purpose of food somehow. We use it for so many other reasons, other than its real purpose – fuel. Food is fuel – not only for the body, but also for the mind. Without sufficient nutrients, both your physiological and psychological health will suffer.

Over time, we have tampered, manipulated and processed food to make it all taste nicer, but in fact all we’ve done is create cravings and addictions and a desire to eat for all the wrong reasons. If we strip things back and eat only the most natural of foods, we wouldn’t have a world of suffering from obesity, cancers and diabetes.

Be mindful of what you eat. Healthy food doesn’t need to be boring, it can be just as satisfying as all the trash you’ve abused your body with over the years. Food is a gift. A gift of energy and vitality, so eat mostly the good stuff and keep the bad stuff to a minimum. 

Your skin – the body’s largest organ – tells a story of its own. Don’t use anything on your skin that you couldn’t eat. Keep it natural and chemical free, because it’s all soaking inwards remember! Likewise, a high sugar diet will present in the texture and dullness of the skin; so go grab yourself some fruit and raw veg, and claim back that glow that only good, natural food can give you.

We simply MUST start viewing food as Functional Medicine – check out my friend’s website for more information and trust in the knowledge that nature provides the answers. Your body will reward you with more energy and vitality, I promise.

Breath – your key to calm

It is the essence of our life force and synonymous with energy and vitality. Correct breathing techniques are the basis of many ancient healing philosophies, so why is it that Westerners have forgotten how to breathe properly?

I blame some of this on our stressful lives. We hold our breath when we are tense and shallow breathe when we are anxious. And let’s face it, we are all experiencing more tension and anxiety than ever before. Pollution doesn’t help either. Us townies know how awful it is to breathe in the filthy fumes from cars and struggle with asthma because of poor air quality. So, what can we do to improve the way we breathe?

Undoubtedly, yoga, stretching and meditation are the most obvious choices to achieve deep, therapeutic breathing. But, there’s no reason why we can’t all become more aware and mindful of our own breathing patterns. Breath is a hidden source of energy that the majority of us aren’t tapping into, so we are depriving ourselves of all the remedial benefits it brings, both physically and mentally. 

Continual fatigue, an inability to concentrate and low energy levels can all be treated very simply by correct breathing. When we don’t breathe deeply enough, cells do not obtain the optimum oxygen supply so do not function efficiently, leaving us feeling tired without explanation. Hence why, when we meditate or feel deeply relaxed, we breathe deeper and subsequently feel better after. So, spending time just connecting with your breath, feeling the lungs and chest expand with the belly rising, are such simple but beneficial techniques for our bodies and overall vitality, we simply must make time for them. 

I can highly recommend the book ‘Breathe – The New Science of a Lost Art’ by James Nestor. You’ll never take your breath for granted again!

Exercise for endorphins

Endorphins’ – nature’s natural high! Whatever high you’re used to, this is the only high that’s going to increase your vitality. Just move. That’s it, that’s all you’ve got to do. Thinking about exercising is always much worse than actually doing it, because once our bodies start producing those endorphins, the negativity and dread is wiped away. 

Exercise (and that includes stretching) is an integral part of our vitality. It keeps our heart and lungs healthy, our muscles strong and our joints flexible. It’s what our bodies are designed to do and yet for so many, it’s the one thing they dread or struggle with. A healthy body relies on exercise, movement and good posture. Don’t deny yourself that. Find something that doesn’t feel like hard work. Ditch the gym if it makes you miserable and dance your way through life instead – dancing and music are the best mood lifters and they cost nothing! Enjoy the feeling it gives you – a feeling of vitality and yes, that natural high!