As a person with some health issues, I would really like to share some insights into the value of taking care of yourself. Believe me, I completely understand that daily life and obligations can so easily take over our time and energy that it’s easy to put our health (both physical and emotional) on the back burner. Take it from someone who has learned the hard way, it’s the one thing that you cannot undo.
When I was younger, I could do anything at all! I was invincible. I was married, had a job, had kids, had a 2nd job, took care of the house, kids’ school and sport activities, all the things that we do and take for granted. What was the one thing that I neglected to do? Yep, take care of myself in the process. When I was younger, not as much emphasis was placed on physical activity or good-for-you foods, and we certainly didn’t make time for mental health (yoga, meditation, stress relief).
Just keeping up with our obligations and a few of the things that we really want to fit into our schedules can take up all 24 hours of our day, but I want to impress on you the importance of taking care of yourself in the process. You have to make time for it because it’s not going to just happen. I spent a few decades just “getting through the day” and researching, learning, making small attempts here and there to get healthy, but never made it a habit or a priority. That’s key…making it a habit…and the earlier that you do can do it, the easier it’s going to be and the more benefit you’ll have overall. Self-care is one of the most important things you can do for yourself and for your family. Most of the healthcare dollars spent these days are spent on diseases and illnesses that can either be prevented or diminished by simply doing the right things for ourselves.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: http://www.cdc.gov/
“Chronic diseases are responsible for 7 of 10 deaths each year, and treating people with chronic diseases accounts for 86% of our nation’s health care costs. Find out how CDC’s chronic disease prevention system brings together data, health care systems, and communities to support healthy choices and reduce risk behaviors for all Americans.”
Obviously, there are also illnesses and disease that you cannot prevent. You can, however, affect the impact it will have on you based on your overall health. You have an obligation to everyone that loves you and cares for you to do what you can about the things that you have control over.
Everything you do, from the time you wake up to the time you go to sleep, affects your health. It’s up to you to take charge of what you’re breathing, eating, drinking, and doing throughout your day. Even small changes will have an impact! Choosing to take care of yourself, learning about what to do, how to do it, and making it a priority is going to pay you back a thousand times over when, later in life, you’re still here to see your children grow older, have opportunities to keep learning and having fun in your life every day, spend quality time with the people you love and care about, and have the time to do all of the things that are important to you!
Take one small step at a time and keep adding to it. Every little thing you do will make a big improvement in your life. You’ll be happier, healthier, and have a better quality of life every single day.
You can do it and you’re worth it!
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Love this , so true