To achieve optimal wellness, men must take into account a range of factors. There is no single magic solution that will work for everyone, but there are many simple lifestyle adjustments that can be made to maintain a healthy body and mind. Daily responsibilities and stresses on the job and at home can cause physical and emotional tension, as well as issues in personal and professional relationships. Whether a man is a business executive, marathon runner, weightlifter, teacher, journalist or food enthusiast, his day-to-day routine can be complemented by these tips from leading North Texas wellness professionals.

Dr. Carlos Chapa, of Acupuncture & Integrative Medical Center shares his 5,000-year-old health secret. It is as simple as hopping into bed, turning off the cell phone and drifting into dreams. Sleeping eight hours a day can improve memory, lower risk of injury, improve mood and boost energy levels.

“It’s amazing how many people tell me they don’t have energy, and the first question I have for them is, ‘How well do you sleep? how many hours?’” says Chapa, “Guess what? More than 90 percent of the patients don’t sleep well, both in quality and amount of hours.” If an individual is not feeling well-rested upon waking for the day, then the body needs more bedtime.

Chapa says that while acupuncture and herbal medicine can help with energy (Korean ginseng, astragalus, B6 and B12 vitamins, adrenal formulas), nothing replaces a good night’s slumber. Chapa urges his patients, “Skip the five-hour energy synthetic junk and sleep!”

 

Dr. Constantine Kotsanis, of the Kotsanis Institute, recommends a daily dose of serenity. In addition to a healthy, organic, gluten-free diet, Kotsanis believes in a spiritual approach to health happiness. As an avid meditator, he believes that in order to fully heal from chronic illness, we must be able to quiet the mind and release all negative thoughts that can hinder our daily progress.

“Although I began my medical career quite conventionally, at one point some years after beginning medical practice, I began to experience health problems. After extensive testing, I was told nothing was wrong with me. All I knew was that I was in pain, fatigued and experiencing severe gastrointestinal issues. This experience taught me that sometimes you have to look for answers in less conventional places.” says Kotsanis.

Dr. John Gonino, of Gonino Natural Wellness Center, finds balance in prayer. “I hold myself to a high standard of wellness. I can’t ask my patients to do something that I don’t do myself.” says Gonino, “At the cornerstone of my wellness is spiritual balance; time spent in silence with God, prayer and meditation.” Gonino also detoxifies his body regularly with colonics and monthly chelation therapy to remove heavy metals from his system. Along with eating healthy and juicing, he is a proponent of supplements; enzymes and minerals, in particular.

Gonino shares, “This is in accordance to fulfi lling my purpose that God has created me for, which makes happiness a given. I am a blessed man. Family, children, grandchildren; I love and am loved in abundance.”

Dr. Dennis Black, of NuPlexa Wellness Center, and creator of Texas Superfood finds that a positive attitude creates a positive life. There are many health guidelines that Black lives by to maintain lasting health. He believes that being healthy is totally up to the individual and a man is 100 percent responsible for every aspect of his health.

He also feels that dwelling on the past and fearing the future hinders an individual’s livelihood, but being present makes way for gratitude and blessings. “I look for the humor in everything,” says Black, “because I find that I receive the exact amount of health and happiness that I create.” By sticking to positive habits and releasing negative thoughts, any man can lead an uplifting and vibrant life.

John R. Woodward, M.D., a board-certified OB-Gyn and Inventor of Twist 25 DHEA cream who is turning 80 this month, says, “It’s all the little things we do.” He recommends a few ways that people can hope to stay healthy and sharp like him.

He suggests exercising for at least 30 minutes every day, saying, “Stay active. Use it or lose it.”

Eat a diet with a wide variety of fresh vegetables and fresh fruits and avoid proteins high in saturated fats; drink plenty of water. Water is life; get 15 to 20 minutes of sunshine on the skin every day, and take vitamin D3 supplements; get seven hours of sleep every night; and maintain a health balance of nutritional supplements and a base hormone precursor called DHEA as a skin cream called Twist 25 every day.