Many people believe that maintaining great health & staying physically fit is difficult, complicated, and dependent on experts, prescriptions, or constant external guidance, including from medical professionals.
The truth is, when we understand and apply a simple idea I call the “Health Chair,” we begin to see, with clarity and confidence, exactly where our attention is needed and how we can support our own well-being.
Your Health Chair!
Think about this for a moment.
Have you ever sat on a wobbly chair and felt at ease? Never!! It immediately creates discomfort. We feel unsafe, insecure and anxious about falling. Only when all four legs of a chair are equal and firmly placed on the ground do we feel stable, relaxed, and supported. Even one uneven leg creates imbalance!
Our health works in much the same way. Imagine your health as a chair. When all four legs are equally strong, your body feels balanced, energized, and resilient. When even one leg is weak or neglected, imbalance sets in. The result is poor overall health, physical or mental.
The 4 legs of the Health Chair
The first leg is what we eat and drink.
What we put into our bodies by way of food and drink determines, and directly influences our health either in a desirable or undesirable way. The quality and type of food, the portions we consume, how we eat and the connection we have with our food, all matter.
Check the first leg with these questions. Are we eating lots of fresh fruits, nuts, whole grains, a variety of vegetables and healthy fats? Are we nourishing our bodies with the nutrients they truly need? Do we drink adequate amounts of the best drink, water? If yes, then we are taking care of the first leg. We feel great and can maintain our desirable weight easily. On the other hand, eating oily, non-healthy stuff just to please the tongue ruins our health, setting us up for obesity and chronic diseases. When we eat with awareness and respect, nourishment becomes more than fuel — it becomes self-care. We can keep the first leg strong with the correct choices !
The second leg
The second leg of the Health Chair is our sleep routine — Nidra.
Sleep is a sacred time when our body heals and the mind resets. When we sleep, our mind and body recover fully and get ready for a new day. Both the quality and duration of sleep deeply influence our health. Do we give ourselves 7–8 hours of nourishing rest? A simple way to check is to notice how we wake up. Do we rise feeling refreshed, alert, and ready for the day — or do we carry fatigue and drowsiness through our waking hours?
Poor sleep habits like endless scrolling on social media, watching TV shows for hours before going to bed, staying up late at night with no understanding of our in-built Circadian Rhythm can be disastrous for our health. Lack of sleep affects our hormones, it messes with our ability to think properly, take the right decisions and makes us prone to infections. Keep the second leg strong with a good sleeping routine! We must never sacrifice our sleep for trivial pleasures.
Two legs more
The third leg is our State of Mind.
Our sense of peace, contentment in relationships, and emotional stability reflect the true state of our mental health, which powerfully shapes our overall well-being. Check whether we are generally calm, balanced, and guided by positive, purposeful thoughts… Or do we worry about everything and restlessness dominates our inner world? How easily do we get disturbed by small changes? How often do we smile, laugh, or feel happy? Do we speak gently or are our days filled with frequent loud arguments? When life doesn’t go as planned, do we find acceptance and harmony or agitation? Do we feel at peace, and contented with our relationships, our family life and friends?
A restless mind can be quietened with Deep Breathing, mindfulness and other Pranayama techniques. These help us become more aware of, and in control of our state of mind.
The fourth leg is Physical Activity.
Check how well we care for our body — our joints, bones, and muscles. Do we move with ease and confidence? Do we have a regular exercise or movement practice that keeps us strong and flexible? Are conditions like diabetes or hypertension managed with awareness and consistency? Do we live a life that feels active, pain-free, and energized? Do we lead a pain-free, active, energetic life or are we sick often, lack energy and stamina?
Making sure to do full body mobility moves daily, staying active through the day, using body weight to build strength, taking care of our posture while we work, all go a long way in keeping us physically fit.
Stay Healthy – Take Care of the 4 Legs
We can stay healthy by taking care of these 4 legs of our Health Chair. Even if one of these weakens, our health is adversely affected. One step at a time, we can do our best to stay healthy. When all four legs of the Health Chair are cared for, we create a life that is not only healthy but vibrant, resilient, and joyful. We do not need to achieve a perfect level in any of these. The goal is not perfection, but attention and intention.
Do share your thoughts on this post ! How do you rate the stability of your health chair? Which one of the legs do you need to work on more?
