Get Your Life Together!
PHYSICALLY
How is your health? Your health is so much more than how much you weigh. Although it is certainly true that there are health concerns revolving around excess weight, you need to take a look at your health as a whole. If you find that you are more tired than you think you should be, or if you seem to have a propensity towards catching every single cold and flu that comes your way, then this is probably a good indication that you aren’t taking care of yourself the way you should. Some people have chronic conditions that definitely have an influence on their quality of life. Most conditions, however, can be made a little more manageable (or at least a little more comfortable) when the affected person is able to make an effort to live as healthy a life as possible. Do you make any time at all during your day for some exercise? Do you find yourself eating fast food more than you eat homemade meals? Are you constantly popping acetaminophen for headaches, or antacids for a sour stomach, or do you generally feel exhausted all the time? If any of these instances apply to you, it is time for you to get your body healthy.
What is the health of your family like? When you look around at the people in your family, what do you see? Is your family populated with healthy, vibrant people, or is it full of people who aren’t in the best health? It is easy to adopt the health habits of the people around you, and you need to take into consideration the fact that some health traits are inherited. You may be an avid runner and watch what you eat, but if high cholesterol runs in your family, you may be destined to have high cholesterol too. It may be worth it to sit down with some family members to find out exactly what sort of ailments run through the family. You might be surprised to discover that something like diabetes is rampant within your family.
What do you see when you look in the mirror? This question does not simply refer to your weight, although weight does have a lot to do with a person’s health. When you look in the mirror, does the face staring back at you appear exhausted? Are there dark circles under your eyes? Oftentimes the appearance of the skin on a person’s face can be a pretty good indicator of general health. A person who doesn’t drink enough water may have dry patches on their forehead, a person who eats entirely too much fast food may have greasy skin, and someone who simply does not take care of themselves may have blemished skin on their face. If people are constantly telling you that you look tired, then this should be a pretty good indicator that your body is trying to tell you something.
Where do you focus all your energy? Does the drive to work exhaust you because you are spending so much time screaming at all the other drivers? Do you expend a lot of energy loathing the person in the cubicle next to you? If a waiter gets your order wrong, do you take it personally and feel as though your entire night has been ruined? Whether you realize it or not, you are the one responsible for how you react to situations. Nobody can make you feel a certain way, because it is you who decides how you will allow yourself to feel. So when you are bumped by someone while walking down the street, you have the responsibility to decide whether you will mutter something rude under your breath and feel sour the rest of the day, or if instead you will smile, say "excuse me," to the other person, and then move on with the rest of your day in a sunny disposition. If you find that you are spending way too much time and energy with getting upset over various things during the day that you really can't control, then it is definitely time to alter your behavior. Constant stress is not good for your physical health, let alone your emotional health. Try focusing your energy on positive things and see if it helps you to feel better about your life and your health.
What do you take into your body? Nearly everyone indulges in an occasional fast food meal. After all, the price is relatively low, and if you're running late, fast food can be a viable option for getting some food on the table. Fast food everyday, however, is not a good idea. This food is layered with ingredients that should be enjoyed in moderation: fruit is dipped in sugar, potatoes are fried, and meat is dripping with fat. Sodium and preservatives are commonplace within fast food repertoires. You can't dine on this sort of food constantly and not expect your body to eventually rebel against it by shutting down or falling ill. Take a look at the food recommendations made by various governmental agencies and experts and see where your current diet rests with regards to their guidelines. Let's face it: if you haven't eaten a fresh fruit or vegetable in weeks, then there needs to be some adjustments made. Your body requires certain nutrients that it just can't get from fried chicken nuggets and french-fries.
What's your addiction? You don't have to use illegal drugs to be an addict. How many people do you know who cannot start their morning without a cup of caffeine-laden coffee? Are you the kind of person who likes to drink soda throughout the entire day, and start to get headaches without them? Maybe you smoke cigarettes, drink wine every night, or use a prescription pill in an other-than prescribed manner just to get through the day. Here is how you figure out what you are addicted to: figure out what you can't get through the day without, and then disregard anything that is necessary for survival such as water, food, sleep, and other necessary needs. What's left are the things that you have formed some sort of dependence on, either physical, psychological or both. Here is the truth: even if a certain addiction is considered socially acceptable, it may not necessarily be good for your body. Do you know that excessive caffeine usage might eventually lead to brittle bones? Are you aware of the fact that alcohol consumption can harm your liver over time? Even if the physical reasons for ridding yourself of an addiction do not move you, then consider the fact that a person without any so-called crutches is a healthier and happier person. If your ultimate goal is to be healthier and happier person, then it is time to take a hard look at what might be stopping you from achieving that goal.
Have you just had a baby? There is a special condition attached to some new mothers…not all women suffer from post-partum depressive disorder, but many new moms do encounter more of a shock when they realize that, although they used to have a nice busy life, they are now essentially chained to a screaming baby who sometimes sleeps no more than two hours at a time. This sage advice is for you: it gets easier, and you are not going insane. You may be reading this because you feel as though your life has certainly spiraled out of your control and that you are probably the only new mom who does not feel as though she has her act together. You're not. Although it is true that there is always room for improvement within everyone's lives, you should realize that you are doing a very important job right now: making a young baby feel loved. Of course, if you do feel as though you might harm yourself or the baby, or you can't shake a depressed mood, you should most certainly talk to your doctor immediately. If you simply feel as though you can't get organized and as though you just aren't doing what you're supposed to be doing, fear not. Wear the spit-up on your shoulder as a badge of honor, and enjoy this special time with your beautiful baby.
|