New Year's Resolutions

'Tis the season to start new year's resolutions. As a former personal trainer, I can't help but cheer on my patients as they begin a new diet or exercise regime. But as a Chiropractic Physician, I want people to start with this big distinction in their mind: being thinner does not always equate with being healthier.

A year ago, I had my bodyfat tested. At the time I had about 12% bodyfat. This is considered healthy by any standard, and certainly below average for the general population. I was also 210lbs, which by some standards is considered obese for a 5'9" male. So which am I? Healthy or obese?

My advice: focus on eating healthy and exercising, rather than acheiving a number that someone has deemed "ideal weight" for you. Change your habits first, and your health will improve. When your health improves, so will your self-image, wether or not your weight changes. As you begin to re-asses and plan new strategies for the new and improved version of you, please keep in mind that healthy people can come in many sizes.

Healthy New Year!

Holiday Stress

With the Holiday season in full swing, it is obvious to myself and any other chiropractor that stress is epidemic. The increase in number of patients and the severity of their pain is good for business, but bad for the general public. Stress will make any condition worse, and the reduction of stress can make any condition better. Physicians often forget that they are treating a person and not a disease.

Stress is something that can be difficult to trace, but it's affects are widespread. Increased levels of stress will result in an overstimulation of the "fight or flight" biological response. This increases levels of the hormone cortisol, resulting in increased blood pressure, and increased risk for diabetes and heart disease. It also decreases the body's ability to fight off infections.

Here are some steps to help reduce stress:
1. Identify the biggest cause of stress. Is it something you can change? Does it come from within? You can only change yourself, stressing about things out of your control gets you nowhere.
2. Lower your expectations for the Holidays. A few years from now, you will completely forget what you gave Aunt Betsy for Christmas, as I am sure she will. I think your family will forgive you if the turkey is a little overdone, or if the pie is not as tasty as last year.
3. Slow down. Do you find yourself racing through traffic for no particular reason? Is it really worth risking life and limb to be the first to the next stop light?

You can also try just taking a walk to clear your head. Not only will some calm reflection help solve the problem, the exercise will do you good.

Yoga and meditation are both elements of ayurveda, the ancient Indian equivalent of a medical system. As well as decreasing stress, yoga will improve your physical well-being. Meditation can do wonders to help you gain persective, and calm you down. A recent Study done at the University of Massachusetts shows that people who meditate regularly are generally happier and more calm (http://www.psychologytoday.com/articles/200304/the-benefits-meditation).

If you have any interest in meditation, Schafer Chiropractic and Healing Spa welcomes you to our new Meditation Classes. Sheri Beth, a Certified Transformation Meditation Teacher, has two classes. One on Tuesday at 6:30 pm and one on Friday at 1:30 pm. Please call (616) 301-3000 if you are interested.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and have a safe New Year's. (and relax.)