To Ignore or To Restore? That is the Question.

By Jackie White

Hey, Peeps! We all have busy lives to lead and many days we are just trying to get through them. That’s a problem. Why? Because it becomes a series of domino reactions. Let me explain. 

The Scenario: You are busy, that’s just the way it is. You get up, gulp down a cup of go-get-em and head out the door. First, you drop the kids at school with the lunches you packed at 6:00 AM, now you fight traffic to get to work. Rush! Get your butt into the office and do the work! Now, late afternoon arrives and you have been in fast motion all day, you want to take a break, but your son has a cross country meet. You hustle your bustle on out to the meet, cheer him on, pack him up and head home to make dinner, connect with your family and try not to fall asleep too early. Your head hits the pillow and the sleep you have been craving for the last 5 hours suddenly eludes you and you start the list-making: you think oh, crap, I forgot to work out again, and I was supposed to call the dentist, I have a looming deadline at work and my legs haven’t  been shaved  in weeks! Now, you start chastising yourself for running these inane lists in your head at night! 

STOP RIGHT THERE!

This is not the way to live your life. Now, granted, days like these happen from time to time, but if your life looks  this crazy, it’s time to do something different. Let’s break it down (before you do!)

Body: Let’s begin with the body. It all begins and ends with the body. Let’s take a quick survey:

Are you getting enough sleep (7 plus hours of good uninterrupted sleep)?
Are you drinking enough water? (8, 8-ounce glasses per day)?
Are you eating healthfully most of the time (veggies, fruits, protein, limit carbs and sugars)?
Are you exercising daily (150 minutes moderate activity each week)?
Do you maintain a healthy weight?
Are you nutritionally deficient?
Do you get regular check-ups and medical testing as necessary per your age?

Mind: Your brain and your body are interconnected and what’s happening in your body is affecting your brain. Let’s take a look at common complaints in the mind department:

Do you feel forgetful?
Do you feel like you have a “brain fog?”
Do you have trouble focusing?
Are you scattered?
Do you feel like your mind is racing?
Do you feel like you need constant stimulation or things get boring?

Soul: The often persistent, yet ignored part of your wellness is your soul. Let’s check in on it:

Do you feel like you are living a fulfilled  life?
Do you feel like you are addressing the things that mean the most to you?
Do you feel like you are living your purpose?
Do you take time to calm yourself through rest or meditation?
Do you take time to be in solitude with yourself?
Do you experience joy on a regular basis?

What you need to know is that the foundation is the body. When you take care of the basics like eating properly, drinking your water and exercising, you are fueling and feeding your brain healthfully. You often feel good and when you feel good, you have the energy and motivation to feed those things knocking on the door down deep in your soul.

Put it all together. The mind, body and soul are inextricably linked. It’s a whole system that if you ignore one of the parts, you will see it bubble up throughout the system. Think holistically about yourself. Spend time taking care of yourself because it’s important to who you are and all that you can be for not only yourself but also others in your life.

Don’t ignore, restore your whole self. Make it a priority and begin living the life you deserve.

Shine On!