Sheri here,
Self care comes in all shapes and sizes – physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, social and intellectual to name the most common.
Yes, this is another reminder to take care of you!
Our Physical Health
In this blog, we are limiting the discussion to physical self care for our health and the well-being of those around us.
This includes sleep, nutrition, exercise, and hydration. Plus, the care of our skin, our teeth, and our bones. They all work together and are inter-connected!
Regular Evening and Morning Routines
The beauty of these inter-connected relationships is that we can create a routine, (see “Your Daily Routine Matters”) if we desire, to help us “automatically” manage. We can use habit to help take some of the stress off us and keep ourselves physically healthy.
On average, we need 7 to 9 hours of sleep a night. That requires we have a bit of regularity in our life.
I used to cut an hour or so off both bedtime and rising time to fit more in. Did it serve me? Some day’s I’d say “no.” Other days that included a level of play or stress busting practices, which did help.
To fit everything into a day, it also required certain routines every night to take care of removing my makeup, brushing my teeth, and preparation for the next day. Then my morning routines to shower and prepare for the day.
The morning routine needs to also include some good nutrition and hydration – our bodies are roughly 60% water and that needs to be continually replenished daily! Food is fuel and protein, and carbohydrates help power us along for a strong start to the day.
It’s difficult to be on our best game if we are short on sleep and under fueled as well!
What about you? Do you have regular routines in the evening or in the morning?
Exercise for Long-Term Health
At some point during the day, we need to look at regular exercise to keep our muscles and bones in strong shape, not only for today, but for the future as well. What we do today, will serve us for years to come.
I know a lot of older people who were exercise adverse, including myself. People who never put regular exercise in their daily life and are now paying a price in poor health. I’m not wild about exercise, but I work, and some days its really work, to get some walking or yoga into the mix. Those are my favorites – they are easy and take little equipment to do.
What are your favorite exercise? Are you doing it regularly? Leave a comment and let me know and how you stay motivated to do it.
Our Physical Health Affects Us and Those Around Us
Our health affects not only the quality of our lives but that of those who surround us. Look around at those you love and see what I mean. If your loved ones, especially the older ones, are in good health, you worry less about them. If they aren’t, you worry more, and they may require more support from you.
Some of paying attention to our physical health is merely setting up a regular schedule, regular activities, and regular attention to our basic needs. If we don’t do this, no one else will! And we will pay a price at some point in the future.
All of this requires an investment of time – your time, no one else can do it for you. Somedays, I so wish that were possibly! Sometimes, we need to make a commitment to show up for another person – an accountability buddy to work out or walk with. Some of this takes a bit of investment of money – whether it’s a good mattress, a gym membership or a coach. The investments are up to you and your pocketbook.
Last occasionally, about once a year, we need to check-in with our doctor to make certain all systems are humming right along and if there is something that’s not, you can get an early warning and take corrective action.
Keep taking care of you – no one else can.
Sheri’s Book Status
Currently on my book: Everything I Learned About Life I Learned on Vacation. I’m working through some of the edits that my book reviewers have suggested – I know it will be better for it in the long run – sorta like exercise – we’ll be better if we do it!
‘til the next time.
Ciao,
Sheri
