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HEALTH & WELLNESS
Every group of people around the world has benefited from the use of plants to address ailments and help the body heal . In today ’ s world , the use of botanicals and other plants as supplements has become a multibilliondollar industry , but I promise you , you don ’ t need a ton of money to use them .
2 . Going Within
Meditation , mindfulness , visualization , and contemplative practices help us connect our physical and emotional sides . These practices don ’ t require any spiritual beliefs , and they aren ’ t meant to replace someone ’ s religion . They are like “ mental workouts ” that calm our bodies and our minds and instill peace . We can use them effectively to enrich our understanding of what is sacred and miraculous within .
3 . Yoga and Other Forms of Movement
Movement is an integral part of wellness . While there are a number of movementrelated practices , and all are helpful , I focus
mostly on learning , using , and reclaiming yoga , as its popularity and benefits deserve special attention . In addition , yoga is the quintessential example of a popular wellness practice developed by people of color in ancient times that is now embraced by all regardless of age , health , or circumstance .
4 . A Plant-Based Diet
Some wellness experts like to say , and with good reason , that improving our health is “ 80 percent about nutrition , 20 percent about everything else .” Just like how putting crappy oil in a luxury car can reduce the car ’ s performance and longevity , what we feed our bodies can impact our ability to stay healthy and to heal after illness . Modern data supports the dietary practices of our ancestors , which emphasized a wholefood , plant-based diet . This doesn ’ t mean becoming a full-on vegan ( unless you ’ re ready ), but it does mean adjusting the balance of our diet to include more health-promoting plants and less meat and processed foods . As the ancients understood , our wellness depends on what we eat .
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