These are small actions you can take ~ in a moment, or develop as a regular practice ~ that will help you be a little healthier every day.

1. Breathe deeply.
   Breath ~ bringing oxygen in, letting carbon dioxide out ~ is the body's most important function.  Breathing is what gives life to cells, opens the pathway to energy, and even regulates your mood.  When you are feeling tense, stop and take ten seconds to take a few deep breaths.  By the time you are finished, your blood pressure will have dropped, and you will have helped clear your brain.  Nothing else is as easy or as important as good deep breathing.
2. Move mindfully.
   Accidents and injuries most often happen when our minds are in one place and our bodies somewhere else.  The times when you feel most rushed are exactly when you should stop, just for a moment, to take account of where you are and what you're trying to do.  When you know where you are and what you're doing, chances are much better that you won't hurt yourself in the process.
3. Smile.
   We smile when we're pleased or happy, and the opposite is true, too.  We're happy when we smile.  It may seem strange, but the physical process of lifting muscles into a smile (even when you don't feel like it!) can change your body's physiology.  Try it the next time you're stuck in traffic, and you may be surprised at easily you can relax.
4. Drink water.
   As you know, our bodies are about 60% water.  Drinking enough water is essential to keep your energy up, your weight down, your digestion moving and your whole system in balance.  A cool glass of water can even help calm you down when you're upset.  If you're feeling loggy, water will give you an instant lift.
5. Do something that makes you happy.
   What's happiness have to do with health? Everything.  The same way that stress can change the biochemistry of your body, good feelings can strengthen your immune system.  No time? Pet your pet.  Look at a beautiful vista.  Put on some music.  Make a phone call.  What ever makes you feel better in the moment will contribute to your long-term well-being.
6. Find the quiet.
   Imagine what you'd feel like if you spent 12, 16, 18 or 20 hours a day eating non-stop.  Terrible!  Why?  Because the body needs sometime to digest what's gone in.  Other systems of the body are no different.  We need breaks from all the sensory overload of running busy lives.  Taking a moment ~ or better, a few ~ each day to step away and find some quiet can be a significant support in helping you feel better.
7. Listen.
   If you pay attention, you may hear a still small voice.  Listen to it.  It's you.  It's there to tell you how you feel.  What's right for you.  Whether something feels comfortable ~ or doesn't.  Of everything and everyone you could listen to, your own inner voice is the most important.
8. Speak your truth.
   Saying one thing when you really mean another sets up tremendous stress and tension in the body.  And the longer it goes on, the more the body defends itself, eventually leading to disintegration of the system.  It may feel hard to say something that you think might hurt someone's feelings.  But it's even harder on you when you don't.  And it can be hard for others, too, when those "unexpressed" thoughts and feelings come out in unexpected ways.
9. Let it go.
   Nothing does a body more damage than hanging on to old hurts.  Long, long after the actual situation has changed, we may still hold on to old emotions, effectively re-creating the injury over and over again.  Healing takes place on many levels.  The physical is the most obvious, but unless all systems are oriented to healing, it won't take place.  Releasing emotional pain is a process.  The first and most important step is your decision to do it.
10. Stretch.
    Pain frequently comes from being stuck ~ literally or metaphorically.  To keep your body loose and energy flowing, take a moment for a gentle, relaxing stretch several times a day.  The emphasis here is on gentle ~ go just as far as you can, and breathe!
11. Be gentle with yourself.
    Contrary to what our society may try to get us to believe, few of us respond well to pushing or coercion.  Quite the opposite.  When pushed, our first inclination is to push back and resist ~ even if we are the ones trying to get ourselves to move.  In life, as well as in chiropractic, I've found that the gentle approach is actually the most effective.  So, whatever you're doing, take it easy.
12. Call Dr.  Modesti.
    People often wait until they're in pain to call me.  I suggest you don't.  Call me when you have any kind of question or concern regarding your health or well-being.  I'll be happy to offer whatever suggestions I can over the phone, or see you for a complimentary initial 15 min. consultation in person at my office. Of course, if you are in pain or have a problem that needs attention, call me then, too.