PRIMARY HEALTH CARE –WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY IS IT?

Key Messages
1. We often say we are Mind Body and Spirit, but what does that MEAN?
2. Our Body is the vehicle for living the life we came here to live. It is thetemple for our Spirit.
3. Our Mind is a very powerful part of the triangle.
4. Over time our belief in ourselves, and belief in our body’s power to heal itself,has been weakened. We have been socially conditioned to think it is “normal”
to go to someone else to tell us what to do with our bodies as “they will knowmore”.
5. This has come from a belief that we are not good enough/ smart enough/educated enough to know how to do this. And media and society contributes
to this by giving us subtle (and not-so-subtle) messages that this is true…….
often by way of creating a fear around “if you don’t do this …. take this…. theramifications could be bad for you” ….. It is as if “life can deliver curved balls,
but western modern medicine can fix you…..” All you need is faith thatwestern modern medicine has all the answers.
6. Modern western medicine, in its finest, is an important part of our system. But
somehow we have forgotten that there is something we can do for ourselves
BEFORE we have to seek out the assistance of modern medicine. Especially
if all diseases begin in the gut ……. as it is us who has the power to2

determine what goes into our gut. Many illnesses today are called “lifestylediseases”.

7. We are what we eat…… but we don’t always want to be
responsible for that. Our human connection has been based around food,and that may have been a healthy thing, or it could have also set us up for an
unhealthy relationship with food so we turn to food for ‘comfort eating’ rather
than as sustenance or fuel. We can EAT TO LIVE or LIVE TO EAT…. ourchoice!
8. Did you know we have two brains? Google it and see what you come upwith….
The Mystery of the Second Brain (Dr Jill Ammon-Wexler) How do we happen
to have two brains?
a. During early fetal development both your “gut” (esophagus, stomach,small intestine and colon) and your primary brain started to develop
from the same clump of embryonic tissue.
b. When that piece of tissue divided, one piece grew into your central
nervous system (your brain and cranial nerves). The other section
became your enteric nervous system (your “gut brain.”)c. During later stages of fetal development, these two brains then became
connected via a massive nerve -- the vagus nerve.
d. The vagus nerve is the longest of all our cranial nerves, and creates adirect connection between your brain and your gut.
e. Because of this direct brain-gut connection, the state of your gut has a
profound influence on your psychological well being.
No matter how unrelated the condition may seem to be, every
disease begins in the GUT and every treatment should begin byaddressing the digestive system. (Brain & Body Wellness Centre
http://www.bbwca.com/all-diseases-begin-in-the-gu/ )The gut is often
called the second brain. There is indisputable correlation between gut healthand mood, behavior, cognition and many other psychological and physicaldisorders.

3To keep the body in good health is a duty, otherwise we shallnot be able to keep our mind strong and clear. ~Buddha

Key Actions
1. Be responsible for what you put in your mouth….. seek out Mother Nature’s
gifts of fruit, vegetables, grains and seeds – all grown in your own temperatezone.
2. Talk to someone who is healthy and ask them what they eat, and how theyplan and prepare their family meals. This can also have a HUGE impact on
your family budget – thus reducing any stress around financial issues.
3. Share what works for you and your family – how do your children behave
when they have eaten certain foods? Are they calm and relaxed, have lots ofhealthy energy, and are sleeping well? Do they smile and laugh much?
4. Can you make it a project with other family members to develop a healthyeating/shopping plan for a week, and if you need support one day you havesomeone to reach out to…….. and you can return the favour at another time.

Key Questions
Am I willing to be responsible for my own health and wellbeing? Don’t makeyourself wrong if you decide you don’t want to be – just by becoming awarethat you have handed over your power to someone/something else is in itselfvery empowering Is there something I could do TODAY that would have a positive impact on myhealth and wellbeing?

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Have I got the 7 Principles of Health up where I can see them, and my family
can see them? Air, Water, Sunshine, Walking, Plant Whole Foods, Loving
Relationships, Passion…….
Am I breathing deeply, drinking good water, getting sunshine every day,walking at least 30 minutes every day, are all my relationships loving, am I
passionate about something?
What did my Ancestors do to ensure their health and wellbeing at a time when
there was no modern medicine?

Check out Don Tolman on our YouTube channel talking about Aboriginal Peoples as“The Originals”, and the wisdom to survive to be the oldest living culture in the world
today ……. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_EnJPFacwA

Share this Resource with others – it’s a great contribution tobuilding the health and well-being of your family, workplace andcommunity…

Vicki and Wendy