These last few weeks have brought a whole new focus to the word: Health. Working in the industry the last 6 months, learning more of the clinical side and working side by side with professionals has me not only value but question health. Personally in the family some health ups and downs hit home and what better than to share my thoughts in this week’s blog post.
I need to start off by saying I am not a certified medical professional so do not take my advice over one. Okay, now that that PC is out of the way let me speak my heart!
We first have to take care of ourselves before we can expect to take care of others. No this isn’t “self care” this is making sure we listen our our bodies and give it what it needs. Nourish was my work of the year last year and this means really answering to our bodies. For everyone this is different. For me it is getting my body moving. If I am not exercising a few times a week the stress builds up, my anxiety rises, my mood swings, and self esteem is down. But when I can get some gym sessions, neighborhood runs or a yoga flow I am immediately in a better mental and of course physical state! I like to think of this analogy like an airplane safety precaution: make sure you put on your air mask and life vest before you help those around you. Fill your bucket first, so you have all the love to give others.
Another piece of this puzzle is what we put inside our bodies. I am learning more and more everyday its not just food, but drinks, vitamins, medications, everything we consume is absorbed into our bodies, our cells. Why would we want to poison our selves? I know cheese is poison to some, but it is knowing what your body can do with the things you consume. I know I am sensitive to almonds, but sometimes choose the stomach bloating so I can have one of my favorite nuts. Or its even grabbing Canes Chicken on the way home from work because its a late night and I am craving it after a long hard day it is a mental reward as well. It is all about balance. BUT what I am here to advocate NOT to do is overly consume those toxic things! Intermittent fasting works for me because I am not a breakfast person, but it might not work for you. Apple cider vinegar lemon shots work for me every morning but that might not for you.
On to some seriousness. Last week my Father put himself in the ICU, loosing nearly 9 pints of blood because he chose to intoxicate his body to a point of almost no return. Isn’t that funny word? INTOXICATE. It literally has the word toxic in it. Think about that for a second. If a glass of wine or a shot of tequila makes your body feel good then have it, but if it will in turn cause you to hurt physically and or emotionally, damage relationships, and overall alter your day to day life than why would you want to give your single chance at living a shorter shelf life?
I meet 90 year olds everyday, in fact the oldest resident we have in our facility is 101 years young! This month my grandfather turned 90 and the family gathered to celebrate this monumental moment. What is the secret? I ask everyone I meet over 90 years of age of 50 years of marriage (that’s another post). The most common answer I get is staying busy and happy. Not one or the other its both. Keeping active, just like my grandpa who still does his daily walks, helps with family projects, and of course our annual tamale making. But I have seen him build homes, repair roofs, tend to gardens, drive thousands of miles, and win at hundred of Domino games. At his birthday celebration he exclaimed:”If i had to do it all over, i would.”
That is a life worth living. I can’t tell you much more than that. You can pack the hand sanitizer, cough drops, warm and fuzzy socks and wear a mask but you still might catch something. I received the FluShot for the first time this year and still got sick. I found out that this vaccine was for a diff to strain that what this season’s influence brought us. I wash my hands leaving every hospital, when I get home I shower of physically and mentally my day. One day I walked out of an elevator at a hospital and the entire floor was wearing masks- i suited up as well. Skincare routines and SPF are required daily for me along with with vitamins and minimum 40 oz of water a daily (working on more, I know). I plan on living till at least 100. I got plenty of life to live and I hope you reading this are right there with me living our best (healthy) lives.
XoXo
Britt
