Fearing Your Natural Health
I am called to write this next dance. A different one that does pertain to contrast therapy, thermal alignment, while mostly about humans and our biological make up which includes basic requirements and necessities. Add a sprinkle of natural sense, and we are set.
This blog is more of a “rant”. This is coming from a place deep within myself that I journal about on a consistent basis. Maybe a complaining component about how humans can be so naive, gullible, or malleable? Where humans have tossed aside the ability to be resilient? Why have humans given away their power? Is it because society (the system) messed up by “conveniently” mishandling education? Or, from which we began, to where we are presently, the end of a short reign is nigh? I struggle with these questions often because I once had been caught in the net myself.
I am speaking about one thing in particular. HEALTH. Our individual health. N=1
HOW DID WE GET TO THIS POINT?
We should have taken ownership of ourselves as quickly as possible from the starting gate. We each have engrained instinctual beliefs when it comes to what feels right and wrong. We also do not have a choice when we are dependent upon the adults who care for us from infancy to an age of reason where we begin to have a heard voice.
I think about this a lot.
Do we begin in a deficit? Our caretakers believe in a western health care system as the only defense for our health, rather than allowing the natural immune system to grow and expand with being fed the best quality nutrition and love and support, the “bandaid” solutions of modern day today are introduced way too young to stop the body from developing wholly.
Our health system should incorporate PREVENTION practices through our lifestyles by understanding our biologic needs. But it does not. It saddens me. From the starting point the fears are introduced in its stead. Loving that infant, that new born so much, it took months of growing and holding space for this miracle… only to be told you have to begin destroying the little being. The white coats induce fears that “if you don;t” this, or “if you do” that.
Understanding the requirements for these temporary solutions with pharmaceuticals helps people overcome immediate illnesses. We all have had sick loved ones. Some we have lost, some in various stages of health. Personal experiences included. It does question why some people trust their biology and lifestyle combined, why some ignore it all and take what comes.
Continuing on the destructive path of toxin loads from all sources while riding our young lives up to where inflammation, pain, physical limitations problems start. We are seeing younger people with metabolic issues more now. This should be the stage in life where looking at what you are doing or not doing with your body (lifestyle) needs to make changes before things get worse or debilitating.
JUST BECAUSE EVERYONE ELSE IS FOLLOWING, SO SHALL I (MENTALITY)
When I think back to my childhood. I was riddled with allergies so bad that I turned blue a few times. My family told me so. So my mother slogged me to the “white coat” office weekly for antihistamine injections and allergy tests. Where I was scratched over 50 times on my flesh and injected with a couple dozen toxins in my arms. This went on for as long as I can recall.
I pleaded for no more. The pain, the torture and yet, it never stopped. All the while… white coats were blowing smoke in my face during visits. Yes, DOCTORS smoked in medical offices in the 70’s. At home both my dad and mother smoked like industrial smoke stacks!!
Why the fuck was I being penalized and used as a scratching post and pin cushion while the “caretakers” of my being were the culprits? Where were the lifestyle changes that were necessary for my little set of lungs? Why did I have multiple bandaids for my growing immune system, when the issue was in the home? Today I despise the smell of cigarettes so much that I am so proud of myself for never taking on that habit that would have killed me.
IF I LEARNED FROM THE WRONGS OF THE PAST, WHY CAN’T PEOPLE LEARN TODAY?
At 55 years old, I am thankful for what I understand about human biology. I practice awareness and presence. I pay close attention to what is best for my body, and mind. I am always falling down, but I always get right back up. I continue my self work. I do make decisions and choices that I fail miserably at, but using awesome supportive tools, (contrast therapy, lifting weights, nature, breathing), I can ground while I handle the distress in a healthy way, while not destroying my body.
Through my formative years I battled with substances, but also turned around my life at crucial times when I felt I was close to the toxin loads of “white coat” pharmaceuticals door step. I was an athlete, and I valued, no, I craved nature. I believe that my need to be outdoors consistently my whole life is my number one saving grace. The point is that I listened, and I sought out information about my body in what it can do to heal and repair on its own. My hope is to pass onto you where you might have doubts in where you are in your health journey.
Again, I have stated this many times in my blogs. Western medicine system, the health care system, is wonderful to help and save lives, to help us get through problems in emergency situations. I am thankful to have this system as a back up if I need it. I trust my own body. If I may ever need them, I know they are there. My lifestyle choices, while using my own abilities, is my ultimate choice for preventative medicine. Besides, the sauna is fun and feels amazing. I love cold baths, ice baths, cold weather and how it makes me feel. In addition to all the other beautiful hard aspects my body and mind love. (states of hormesis).
HARK, LOOK WHAT I DISCOVERED BEFORE IT BECAME POPULAR!
The cold weather. The cold air. The limited clothing while skating on open ponds in the dead of winter, and not bundling up tight… but always covering my head, were important markers.
I also recalled that I was barely sick. If I did catch an occasional cold, I recovered far faster than other children. Even chicken pox. During my time with it, it wasn’t horrible, but I still went outdoors to play while I was off school. I recovered quickly without being stuck indoors.
Flash forward to today. In thinking about human biology as I continue to learn, while knowing what I know about temperature use for us mammals, it made sense to listen to my needs. I was thankful my parents were not overbearing, although they were distracted or absent all my young life. To have more time outdoors to play, to get dirty, to explore and to be nurtured by nature. It molded me and my immune and mental health. I know it saved my life. My dad was always away at work, my mother was absorbed in herself. So, after their divorce I was left on my own a lot. I was 8 years old.
OUR INNER AND OUTER VOICE
My voice was never heard. But I listened to myself and provided what I needed and what I wanted. This meant that I freed myself from the smokey house as frequently as I could to escape. My allergies "miraculously" (I LAUGH) suddenly shifted away or lessened greatly when I was outside in nature. When I was home, my bedroom window was always open, all year round. Another thankful moment was the location of our family home. Corn fields and forests all around me, this was my playground. Playing outside, building treehouses, and sticking rocks up my nose (when I was 4 years old), I got my hands dirty, nose too, and I am stronger for it.
I built up my immune health. I used nature and the cold weather. I loved them individually but also in combination. I still practice today. I will go into the woods,up North, and sleep outside. I work my body outside, perform hard manual labour for friends in the outdoors. Fell trees, shoot guns, get my hands dirty. It is my natural call to be human.
I was into hockey, ringette and basketball and skiing. Winter season sports. After each game or practice, I stayed in my sweaty clothing while making my way home in the cold. It was cold, but I was alive. I was awake. I was calmer. The big bonus I noted… Best sleep ever!
WHAT CHANGES CAN YOU MAKE TODAY?
Are you seeing the point?
What I know today and what my body seeks daily is the cold. I know how much to use and when to use it. Some days are lighter than other days. Some days I want a really good detox, so I use the dry sauna for 25 minutes and ice bath before and after it. Contrast Therapy.
WHY AREN’T YOU ASKING TO SEE STUDIES OR PROOF HOW BAD FAST FOOD IS?
The studies confirm what I already know and feel. We don’t necessarily need studies to help us understand human nature and need. But it seems necessary for the “modern human” today. Though…. I laugh so much when humans over consume fast food, vices and other toxins that are literally destroying health… and adding that 8th pharmaceutical drug to combat another one they take, asking me to prove why something natural and healthy like taking a cold shower or ice bath needs tons of “scientific” evidence to convince them of the benefits.
Hypocrisy and Apathy, perhaps? But we are seeing this play out today with the induction of more fears. Instilled fears with enforced use of viruses, the biggest weapon on humans today. The fears and manipulation of common living organisms. Rather than building up our immune health, strengthen the body to ward off the world filled with viral loads.
Rather than do the hard work of being natural, those that remain apathetic should just be honest and say, “I don’t care about my health and I want to eat crap and be drugged up”. Own the choice one makes, stop bellyaching about the problems one continues to make. The modern healthcare system is a multi trillion dollar industry, with big pharmaceuticals at the helm.
WHERE TO BEGIN? HOW TO STOP THE MADNESS?
Why not take a cold shower every day, walk in nature, put down the electronics, and catch some sunshine. Give that try on the daily and see how your mood shifts. Spend some time alone.
Always know that it is never too late to repair your health. Believing in your strength and courage to do so is 50% of the battle. Life is precious.
You are the captain of your vessel. Either sink it, or keep it afloat. It’s your choice.
Denise Tompkins
Purveyor of thermal alignment
Certified Thermalist® and owner of Element Outdoor Sauna
