How many times do we all say “If you don’t have your health…you don’t have anything”? I hear it all the time, yet unfortunately that subject comes up a tad too late. Many of us just assume that because we don’t have any ailments or a disease that requires immediate attention we are “healthy”. Those thoughts can be costly. Without taking responsibility for our own health the repercussions can be costly – not only in terms of the monetary expense, but how it can limit us from being the best person we can be in terms of optimal health as well as being in a healthy emotional and physical state.
If you aren’t sure whether you’ve been proactive enough with your health goals, reflect on the following questions:
- Do you wait for an injury, illness or other ailments before you take measures to protect your health?
- Do you hold a black-and-white view of health, thinking about it only in terms of disease or lack of disease
- Are you taking a proactive role in disease prevention by learning about your family health history and responding to this information?
- Have you reflected on the more holistic elements of health, such as happiness, the expression of creativity, enjoying the moment, utilizing your senses and sharing love?
If you answered yes to the first two questions, you may need to redefine what it means to be healthy. Rather than thinking about two poles—healthy versus sick—consider the many different degrees of health and wellness in between. Even when you’re not suffering physical symptoms, there are still things you can do to feel even better and measures you can take to safeguard your future health. Likewise, a quick fix to address an illness may not be the only thing worth focusing on.
The third and fourth questions examine different ways you can take control of and evaluate your health. If you answered yes to these, you’re on your way to better long-term wellness. You know that your health is not just about the physical manifestations and conditions that exist at one moment in time, but also less tangible factors like your family history, emotional wellness and overall quality of life. True health is not merely the absence of disease. It’s a reflection of the state of your body, mind and spirit. Use this description as inspiration, and explore the suggestions below to start living your optimal life.
Make a Personal Health List. Begin writing down questions or concerns about any unresolved heath issues you may have, whether physical, mental or emotional. Discuss them with your family and physician.
The most important relationship you can have is the one that you have with yourself. As with most relationships in life, it takes time, effort, consistency and daily steps to build and maintain. When you work on yourself, that is where true happiness lies. Self-care, self-love is the key to a happier you!
Give yourself room to dream (and dream big)
Breathe
Focus on self-talk (think about how you would respond to someone you love who needs help and the postive reinforcement you give. Do you do that for yourself?)
Find a new hobby
Build an affirmation practice
Sleep
Have Gratitude and practice each day starting with you. This is where we take the necessary steps for self-love.
It is a mindset.
