Putting your health first can feel impractical, given the countless to-do lists and responsibilities you have on your plate. From balancing your career to your family, it can even feel selfish to prioritize your health. Respectfully, we disagree. Self-care isn’t selfish. It’s essential for everyone. If you can’t take care of yourself, you cannot take care of anyone or anything else. So to be the best that you can be, here are five simple ways to prioritize your health.
Set Your Intention
Before you start, you need to determine why you want to prioritize your health. If the reason is because it’s what everyone else is doing, you don’t have a genuine ambition to commit to the process. Instead, find the motivation within you, an intention that sets your soul on fire. Whatever gets you excited about improving your health will make or break your achievement. Are you looking to gain energy? Do you want to improve your appearance? Find what resonates with you and go after it!
Wake Up Earlier
You might groan for the first ten minutes, but once you’re up, you’ll feel jazzed about jumpstarting your morning and having extra time for yourself. Enjoy a cup of coffee as you watch the sunrise and take in the quiet around you. This time for relaxation will give you the mental health boost you need. After you’re morning cup of joe, spend a few minutes meditating or reflecting on your current state of emotion. Honor your feelings and allow any thoughts to pass through like leaves on a stream. Staying grounded will give you a sense of calm that you can use to get through stressful days.
Prioritize Physical Health
Physical health is connected to mental health, so move your body. Even ten minutes of walking can curb stress. Both your physical health and mental health requires maintenance, as we are living, breathing creatures. We need to stay committed to our physical health. If you’re looking to use exercise as a way to lose weight, consider pairing your efforts with weight loss medication. Using the right tools will give you a functional approach to healing and the energy you need to get through your busiest days.
Find an Anchor
You can use healthy outlets to destress all you want, but relying on outlets alone will not give you that ingrained sense that everything will be alright. We are all searching for security in our lives. To help you find yours, create an anchor for yourself, something that keeps you grounded throughout all of life’s ups and downs. Anchors can be mantras, i.e., “everything is working out fine.” You can have mantras sent to your smartphone to stay at ease effortlessly.
Celebrate Your Passions
The practices you take up to maintain your health will keep you connected to your most authentic self. The more effort you put towards prioritizing your authentic self, the greater your health will improve. Take part in activities that bring you joy and allow you to connect to your childlike curiosity. Whether you enjoy painting, reading, roaming the outdoors, or another explorative activity, you’re moving closer to happiness with every choice you make to honor your passions.
The Bottom Line
Prioritizing your overall health means that you are taking a wholesome approach to caring for your wellbeing. Use the suggestions mentioned here to honor your mind, body, and soul so that you can reap the benefits of unencumbered wellness, just like you deserve. Health is an ongoing journey; respect yourself enough to enjoy the process, and you’ll find lasting physical and mental rewards.
Featured Photo by Sarah Pflug from Burst
