Physical Health: Our Most Valuable Asset
Tell me about the one thing you value the most in your possession. Is this your house? A vehicle? Have a library? Is your body part of it? Since you wouldn't exist if it weren't for it, it must be your most prized possession.
What kind of self-care routine do you follow? Make sure to exercise daily, eat nutritious foods, drink plenty of water, and get enough sleep. No need to worry; I will not turn this into a lengthy sermon because I am equally guilty of neglecting my body. For the most part, we are. Nowadays, there is an abundance of fast food, hectic lifestyles, and people who are always on the go. The temptation to snack is already high for people like me who have a short commute from our desks to the kitchen. Who among us has the time to work out regularly and make healthy food?
But keep in mind that ignoring your physical health can have serious psychological and spiritual consequences. A solid bond exists between the mind, body, and spirit. The other areas will also take a hit if we ignore this one. Reaching a harmonious equilibrium among all three ought to be the objective. It's not as challenging as I had anticipated. It requires minimal exertion.
Believing that taking care of my body would require a tremendous amount of time was my biggest mistake over the past few years. My schedule just doesn't allow me to work out. I will just grab something fast since I don't have the time to make good meals. My to-do list is too long, so I won't be able to sleep through the night. However, I discovered that I was less effective and productive in other areas when I neglected my physical health. I felt terrible all the time, had no energy, and had trouble concentrating.
Taking care of ourselves physically doesn't need a tonne of time. My concentration, energy, and productivity have all improved greatly since I started paying more attention to my physical health, and I'd even go so far as to claim that I'm gaining time as a result. Another perk is that I have better nighttime sleep.
How much work and time will it take? You may be asking. My recent self-care activities include the following:
Physical activity — I have a tendency to be lazy, so that was the most challenging aspect for me. ;-) I can't tear my eyes away from my desk once I settle down for the day. I will continue to procrastinate exercising unless I do it first thing in the morning. As a result, I get right to work out when I wake up. Walking and light weight training make up my aerobic exercise routine, which I do for thirty to sixty minutes every day. Getting into the routine was challenging at first, but I'm now stronger than before and even look forward to my morning workouts. If you're someone like me who puts off exercising until the last minute, try making it your top priority first thing in the morning. That way, you can tackle any other tasks that come up during the day.
Dining Out -I'm what you call a "junk food junky." It wasn't that I had a preference for that kind of cuisine; it was simply more convenient. I did, however, come to the realisation that "fast foods" can also be raw fruits and vegetables. Along with reducing my sugar intake, I started eating more whole grains and less processed white foods like pasta, bread, and rice. Since processed foods contain so many artificial ingredients, I do my best to consume more whole foods. Why not have some fresh fruit, nuts, seeds, or vegetables as a snack instead of potato chips? Making them doesn't take long at all.
I started feeling better right away after drinking multiple glasses of water throughout the day. It may come as a surprise, but the most typical signs of dehydration include a lack of energy, weak muscles, headaches, vertigo, and forgetfulness. I guess that sums me up, and it's understandable given that my beverage of choice was coffee and soda. My energy and concentration levels skyrocketed after I started drinking more water. Even if you only drink a couple of tall glasses of water daily, that should help.
Get some sleep—I'm the type of person who gets irritable unless I get my recommended eight hours of sleep per night. While some individuals may function well with less sleep, the majority of us are still falling short of what our bodies actually require. Though it may seem like cutting back on sleep will help you get more done, consider this: when you're under rested, your mind is more likely to drag you through the day and force you to focus harder on your tasks. On the other hand, you'll feel refreshed and ready to take on the day (or more, depending on your needs) if you get a full night's sleep (or more).
Look at that, it's not so difficult, is it? :-) It's as simple as replacing the old habits with new, healthier ones. While it's true that exercising takes time, the benefits to your energy level are well worth the effort. Allocate enough time. Because we only get one chance at this life, we should all do our best to take good care of our attractive bodies. Nobody else will take care of them if we don't, and they are our most valuable possession.
May your health and well-being be abundant!
