Reflection Questions - 5 Pillars Of Health
by Sue Staropoli, M.A.

Body:

• Do I feed and care for my body as a finely made vehicle (the only one I will have in this life!)?
• How am I caring for my body preventively?
• In what ways am I taking my good health for granted?
• Do I have dental, vision and other preventive examinations routinely?
• What stress am I carrying in my life/body?
• What toxins/chemicals am I allowing into my body? (pesticides, food additives, chlorine, pollution, skin care products, cleaning supplies, etc.)
• Am I drinking significant amounts (#oz. = 1/2 my weight) of pure healthy water daily?
• Does my diet give me balanced nutrition (vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, healthy fats, protein, etc.) through real, organic foods - (not processed with additives, chemicals, etc.)?
• Do I consume junk food, caffeinated drinks or alcohol?
• Do I smoke?
• Am I taking nutritional supplements to meet my unique body needs?
• In what ways am I boosting my immune system to keep it strong?
• Is my elimination system functioning well? (2-3 bowel movements per day)
• Do I have adequate energy to live a vibrant healthy life?
• Do I exercise on a consistent basis?
• Do I have healthy sleep patterns? Do I have any sleep concerns or problems?
• Am I taking medication on a regular basis? Have I explored natural alternatives?
• Am I using, or open to trying, non-traditional modalities to support my body preventively?

Mind:

• Do I tend to look at problems or solutions?
• Am I feeding my mind with positive or negative messages?
• Do I focus on my (and others') strengths or weaknesses?
• When I "talk to myself," is most of the conversation positive?
• Do I read and listen to positive books, tapes, etc.
• What emotional baggage am I carrying? (resentments, anger, unhealed wounds, etc.)
• Do I nurture my mind with life-giving, joy-enhancing thoughts and habits and experiences (affirmations, prayer, meditation, music, reading, gratitude, etc.)
• Do I tend to live in the past, the future - or enjoy the present?
• Do I live with an attitude of obligation and "shoulds?"
• Do I believe I have to please others more than myself?
• What practices or activities do I enjoy that help me relax?
• Do I have a network of support to help me move through the stresses of life?
• Do I believe that it's okay (for myself and others) to make mistakes?
• Do I accept that there are some things over which I have no control?
• Am I living in harmony with my values and priorities?
• Do I have a sense of mission and purpose in my life?
• Do I believe in the basic goodness of all people and life?
• Do I tend to view life as an optimist or a pessimist?
• Do I have spiritual beliefs that give meaning and perspective to my life?
• Do I live my life in a pace of ease or a pace of pressure and stress?

Family:

• Do I give my family the quality time, caring presence, listening, etc. that I (and they) desire?
• What would I want to change in the quality of my family life?
• Where in my family do I experience stress?
• Are my intimacy and support needs being met?

Society:

• In what ways do I reach out and contribute to the betterment of society?
• What are the unique gifts that I have to share in my community?
• What am I passionate about giving or accomplishing in my lifetime for the benefit of others.
• If money or time were no object, what would I be doing with my life to make a difference?
• Are there any special causes that I desire to support?

Finances:

• What stress am I experiencing about finances?
• What steps can I take to develop a plan for financial security?
• Does my work reflect my values and bring me satisfaction and joy? Is it related to my life purpose?
• Am I a slave to money - or is money serving me?
• In what way does fear about money control my life and decisio