Just as you wouldn’t presume you
could drive your car without gas or oil, you mustn’t
presume that your mind and body can keep going
indefinitely without proper nutrition and care which, of
course, includes valuable rest. The care of your body is
obviously more important than your vehicle. After all,
you want it to last not just a few years but a lifetime.
Get conscious about your self-care choices and start an
optimum-wellness regime that includes following a healthy-lifestyle
eating plan, drinking enough water for your body size,
and getting plenty of replenishing rest.
Not only pay attention to the food you put in your mouth,
but actually choose each item and choose fresh, whole
foods that are high in water content and fiber. Stay
aware and acknowledge your intent for each thing you eat
to nourish every cell of your body. As you do this, you
will begin to notice that you actually enjoy your
“healthy” food more and you don’t miss the
“unhealthy” food as much as you thought you
might. This happens because, as you consciously choose
the particular items you eat, you realize the benefit you
are giving your body and you get the message that you
value yourself.
A basic formula for determining how much water your body
needs everyday is to divide your weight (in pounds) in
half to get the number of ounces, and then divide that
number by eight to get the number of cups of water you
should drink every day. Drinking enough water not only
eliminates toxins from your system and keeps your cells
hydrated so your body can function at its peak, but it
also makes you look better because your skin is getting
the moisture it needs. Some studies show pain relief is
another benefit of being properly hydrated.
A good night’s sleep is not a luxury—it’s
a necessity. The natural rhythm of our bodies is
interrupted by our stressed out schedules and our over-stimulation
from caffeine and sugars. There are, however, several
things you can do to get your body relaxed and ready for
sleep. Stop any intake of stimulants by mid-afternoon.
This includes coffee, tea, chocolate, or any other sugary
sweets. If you’re a dessert person, have your treat
after lunch instead of dinner. Make a list of any
important things you need to remember for the next day,
so you can release their hold on your mind. Turn down all
the lights in the home a couple of hours before bedtime.
Turn off the television and read a good book in bed. Also,
there’s nothing cozier than warmth against the skin,
so pre-heat your bed with an electric blanket, take a
warm bath, or put your pajamas in the dryer for a few
minutes before putting them on. Last but not least, if
you’re a light sleeper, use earplugs and a dark eye
mask as aids.
Nurturing your life goals requires similar care taking.
As you think about your goals, take a few minutes to
answer the following questions:
What one action can you take today that would be an
investment in your overall health and would better enable
you to reach your goals?
What additional things can you do to better care for
yourself in the areas of your mind, your spirit, and your
body?
How, specifically, would each of those things help you
reach your goals?
In what areas are you already taking somewhat good care
of yourself and how can you expand on those?
Are you willing to ask your family and friends to respect
and support your new choices?
Finally, how will it change your life if you value
yourself enough to take the best care possible of
yourself?
Let’s take the time now to peacefully rest, rather
than “RIP” before our time!
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