Own Your Health
So if you have been following along lately, you may noticed that I have been trying to take more control over your health and wellbeing. Working towards this possibility is working towards a brighter future. It isn’t easy and I wobble on this path but I thought I would share what I am trying to do.
This post may contain affiliate links. All opinions are mine.
It is my Universe, after all.
Have a Skill Set
While, I shall be talking about the skills needed for our own health after the events surrounding my parents’ health, I am newly reminded of the importance of being prepared to help those around me. I think this is a responsibility on all of us. I highly recommend getting trained in First Aid, for example, you can explore CPR classes online. These classes provide key information about the respiratory system. While we may all have learned the Stayin’ Alive (which is SUPER valuable) this may make it easier to identify when there’s a larger issue that needs to be addressed.
Eat Well
(Or the Most Obvious)
Okay, onto the obvious. Let’s eat the right stuff. Contrary to popular belief, this doesn’t mean we have to cut all the junk food out. Truth is I wouldn’t if it was needed. Well, maybe, But I am glad it’s not needed.
Really glad.
Instead, we need balance. We want meals to have the right foods and vitamins. This isn’t about losing weight. I was recently diagnosed with a deficit of B12 and D, so clearly I wasn’t getting what I needed. I am now looking for a diet that ensures my body has the energy that it needs to function effectively. Since I am struggling to get everything that you need, I am filling the gaps with the right supplements.
Track the Progress
There’s an old saying, “you can’t know where you’re going if you don’t know where you are”. That’s true for health, as well. Fortunately, there’s lots of tech available. Life has been made much easier to monitor and track our progress. As the phrase goes, “Yes, there’s an app for that”. In fact, there's multiple apps for that and it might already be downloaded on your phone. There are also watches, and other hardware for that. Personally, I love my Fitbit.
Get healthy and stay that way
Regular Exercise
(Obvious #2)
We know we should exercise on a regular schedule. You may assume I mean exercising every day. Now, would I say that? Seriously?
The goal is to put more focus on health without massive burnout. Maybe consider exercising every couple of days for about forty-five minutes. It’s enough to see results, even if it’s light forms of exercise. Of course, EVERYTHING is dependent on you - your metabolism and how your body responds.
The trick is to find an exercise we enjoy and that isn’t a massive chore. If a workout is boring or monotonous, then we’re quickly going to forget about it altogether.
Mental Health is Health
The Not So-Obvious
Sadly, tend to downplay or even forget their mental health completely. Out of sight and out of mind - but unfortunately this can cause problems to burn under the surface. It’s possible we are struggling with your mental health and never even realize it. One of the ways we avoid massive problems here is to aim to be mindful. This means that we naturally keep a check on how we are feeling as well as how others are feeling around you. We take more control over your actions and own the consequences. This helps us understand stress triggers as well as how behaviors of others impacts you. This brings us neatly to the next point we want to address.
Find the Trigger
Certain things in everyday life can trigger signs or symptoms related to our mental health. It can range from the smallest of issues such as someone saying the wrong thing to bigger things like the environment around you. We all have them, and post pandemic, I feel like mine have come MUCH closer to the surface. Knowing ours can save loads of problems, especially as they affect our mental health. Not knowing how to handle triggers may mean it’s time to speak with a counselor to help you deal with these a bit better.
See The Signs
When it comes to health, we need to know when something is wrong. Don’t be afraid to visit the doc, especially if symptoms aren’t alleviating with current treatment options. If you are getting regular colds then there may be something off with your immune system (something I know a little about), your body should automatically know how to fight infections you have previously had. Take a multivitamin each day and focus on eating the right things, these are all subjects your doctor will talk to you about when you go.
Take a break
Take a Break
One thing we can do to help is take regular breaks, whether from work, home life, or everything. All of it takes a toll on us. Take the vacation days if you get them. If you’re like me and work for yourself. MAKE yourself put the phone aside for a day or two (FTR I’ve never managed two, but a girl’s got to have goals!). Schedule some time away from home, this could be a trip to the spa or a girls trip.
With life moving so fast these days, it can feel like things are getting lost in the slipstream. But if you explore keeping health at the top of our list, we can feel empowered and in more control of our lives.
