Foundations of Health

At Valle Health we fill focus on four areas that form the foundation (or pillars) of health: Nutrition, Exercise, Sleep and Emotional Health. These four categories provide the biggest opportunities for expanding the quality (health) and quantity (length) of your life.

Nutrition: The frequency and volume with which we eat means that even marginal changes in this component of our lives will have significant impacts. Despite how difficult nutrition is to study, I believe it is the most important contributor to overall health. At the same time, I do not believe that there is one perfect diet for everyone. There are people who achieve their best health on a whole-foods vegan diet and others who are healthiest on an all-meat diet. There are even individuals who have done well on both extremes. At Valle Health I will help you navigate the confusing world of nutrition and make food sew into your health and vitality.

Exercise: Our bodies are made to move. Our modern lifestyle allows us to avoid so many forms of discomfort and hard work. Unfortunately this takes a toll on our bodies: we become weak and ultimately frail. Our bodies deform from sitting. Our ability to perform basic movements safely and competently gradually diminish. Injuries arise from these maladaptations and contribute to the cycle of decline. Conversely, almost every person has the ability to reclaim some of those lost abilities.

Sleep: We spend roughly 1/3 of our lives asleep. We can go longer without food and water than we can without sleep. Until I began to take a more serious approach to my own health I readily agreed with the mantra “I’ll sleep when I’m dead!” Unfortunately, this is a self-fulfilling prophecy.

Emotional and Spiritual Health: We are more than physical bodies. If our organs function well, but we lack purpose and are depressed or anxious, our healthy bodies aren’t worth as much. I am constantly reminded of the question Jesus asked: “What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but forfeits his soul?”