The two vital components of who you are go hand-in-hand. Like a super team within and without, the physical and nonphysical aspects of being human make up the dynamic duo summed up in one word—you.

Getting physical

You’ve really got to move that body—no matter what age, gender or station in life. The body is meant to be utilized, stretched, used, but not abused. The saying is true—If you don’t use it, you lose it.

Take the muscular system: the more you move it, the more it grows in strength and shape. This is the very reason why exercise is so important. Not only does it give your body form, it works in synergy with the skeletal system to guarantee your mobility. The human body can go places and travel distances and in order to do just that, it must be kept in good working order.

Yes, you have read, heard and understood this argument before. But what will prompt you, urge you, motivate you to do something about it? Are you waiting for your doctor to inform you that you are at risk for osteoarthritis before you do anything about it?

Here’s a simple regimen

Morning jog. There’s nothing like the early morning for a brisk jog. The best time for exercise is morning. This 15-to-20- minute mild workout is enough to get your blood flowing faster and the lymphatic system moving actively to collect any and all toxins and waste material from your system.

Note: The lymphatic system, which is a detoxification mechanism, only works when you are active—not when you are passive.

You have heard of bed-ridden individuals who got sicker because they didn’t move around. On the other hand, there have been countless cases of hospitalized patients who recuperated faster when they decided to simply get up from bed.

A true story about Manny

Ten years ago, Manny underwent a quadruple heart bypass. After 24 hours, his cardiologist visited him in the hospital, examined him then did the most unexpected thing—he pounded his chest lightly and said, “Get up and move. Your heart needs to be exercised.” He ordered him to sit up, stand up and take three steps forward. Satisfied, he walked out of his recovering patient’s room with a big smile on his face.

Manny never forgot that challenging day. From then on, he jogged lightly in the mornings for a good seven years. He stopped exercising after that because he became a workaholic. Within five years he was dead from cardiac arrest.

Nutrition. How crucial a role vitamins and minerals play in optimum health. In order to sustain one’s energy level at all times from day to night, you need to eat right. There is a difference between eating well and eating right.

“Well” may connote abundance, even richness. There is no mistaking the meaning of “right.” That which is correct for your lifestyle and body type is the best one for you. Consider “live” food filled with enzymes. This translates to natural, organic, whole, pesticide-, preservative-, coloring- and “special” flavoring-free food.

Soul food

What powers the physical body is an internal generator called the energy body, which is intrinsically connected to the spirit. Thus, once in a while, if not often enough, indulge in spiritual and soul-uplifting activities that can place your body in perfect harmony.

Soulful activities