Once can never be too healthy. In fact, by today’s standards, good health truly is our first wealth, if it is our intention to look and feel better through the years.

One of the easiest ways to determine your actual physical strength is to go up a flight of stairs. This explains why, in many office buildings, there is often a sign that says “If you’re going to the 2nd floor, take the stairs, it’s good for your health.”

I agree 100 percent. However, make that three flights instead of one, even if just the usual 10 steps up can give your blood circulation a good jolt. However, ladies, a precaution. Better wear flat shoes or sneakers. Using high heels while climbing the stairs can strain your lower back and legs.

Here’s how to test yourself: Climb the first flight. Observe yourself. Feeling good? Want more? Then take the second and third. Now this is a perfect warm-up—if it has not taken the wind out of you!

However, should you find yourself gasping and completely out of breath, stop. This means your body is not used to exercise and is actually “aching” to tell you simply this—“Get me back into shape!”

10-minute routine

Try this now: Remove your high heels or office shoes. Go barefoot or wear athletic shoes.

Choose a spot. Walk where you are standing. Bring knees and arms up each time you lift a leg. Do this for 5 minutes. Then, jog for five minutes without leaving your spot. And without lifting your toes from the floor, but only your heels. Wiggle your hips.

This could be challenging but it is actually easy. It will give you a good shakeup.

When you look at the mirror after this 10-minute routine, you will see rosier cheeks. If, for any reason, climbing the stairs causes you difficulty in breathing, see your doctor immediately, so heart disease can be ruled out. But also check if your testosterone and cortisol hormone levels are depleted. Regaining the normal young adult levels of these hormones will certainly bring back the stamina you have lost.

Balanced IQ-EQ

It is widely believed and accepted that women have greater emotional stamina than men. And it’s a fact—simply because women have it in their DNA. It is part of our genetic blueprint.

Thus, with the capacity and natural inclination to feel and nurture also comes the ability to handle emotional stress. Women don’t have to be taught how to feel. Rather, it is the men who need to hone their skills in the feelings department, given that they’ve been told since childhood that “men don’t cry.”

In truth, the best way to good health, according to experts, is to encourage everyone, men and women alike, to have a balanced IQ and EQ (emotional quotient). Ideally, this balance should begin in early childhood.

Emotional stress is connected to physical stress. In short, what you feel inside affects your insides, too.

Everyone can feel emotions. We just vary in the ways of expressing it, with some more repressed than others.

Now, close your eyes and imagine a moment in your life when you felt the greatest sense of joy. Hold that thought. This is your memory for the day. Allow it to fill you once more with that feeling of contentment. And this is enough to influence your day.

Most importantly, feel-good thoughts stimulate feel-good hormones, which result in a stronger immune system.

Good posture

People literally get shorter over time. That’s because bone density decreases with age, thus the impression that people are slowly shrinking with age. However, with the proper wellness regimen of exercise, good nutrition and supplementation, we can delay this occurrence. If you do not have a wellness plan, now would be a good time to start having one.

Consider for now how you carry yourself. Your internal organs have adequate space inside your body. But the moment you slump, slouch and curve your back, this will cramp the internal organs. Inner stress of this nature can cause inefficient lung expansion, lack of oxygen, poor circulation and even headaches. Eventually, you will have weak stomach muscles, slumped shoulders and a small chest.

Imagine what a big difference posture can make.

So put a smile on your face, and sit up straight. Or, shoulders back, stand upright, eyes fixed on the horizon. Now affirm: “I stand tall and proud!”

Love and light.