Do you get sick too often? Try this...
Have you had your share of colds or flus this winter or been around lots of people who’ve been sick?
I sure have!
My granddaughter coughing in my face (not on purpose of course), sharing her food and hand feeding me when she has a cold, and of course handing me her used Kleenexes. What’s a grandma for?
My husband being on what looked like his deathbed (with a cold!!) and nearly coughing up a lung for 3+ weeks.
Face to face sessions with numerous sick clients in the past few weeks. I have very dedicated clients!
Flying on an airplane with germs all over the place – most of them coming from my husband coughing in the next seat. Airplanes are the worst germ zones I think!
No problem! I didn’t catch anything…
I don’t usually get sick. Am I just lucky? Have good genes? Not in this case. I believe it’s because I have developed certain ingrained habits that keep me healthy. I enjoy these healthy habits and would like to share them with you so you can feel better too.
How did I come to value good health?
It evolved slowly as the years ticked by. I like feeling healthy and being at my best health-wise. The more energy I invested in my health, the better I felt. Good health habits result in more energy and improved mood.
I’ve learned a lot from public figure, Kris Carr (who I’ve mentioned before) who has been living with stage 4 cancer for over a decade. I admire her commitment to health and wellness and her willingness to share her wisdom and life experience with others. Her healthy habits have kept her alive and thriving. She has inspired me to value my health on a daily basis.
I also learned from family members who faced serious health concerns and even death. Some made a comeback and now have their own new healthy habits. I learned from them.
Others didn’t make it! I learned from them too. I learned to stop taking my own health for granted.
So I would like to share with you what I have learned from the best.
My top 4 health tips:
#1 Nutrition is key
Green smoothies almost every day for 2+ years. I switch it up and make a green juice on Sunday and use up most of the remaining fruit and veges in my fridge. I even share my green smoothie with my granddaughter who happens to be a picky eater – she always says MORE! We're hooked on green smoothies because they taste great!
Cleanses and detoxes – I do these for 3-7 days, a couple of times a year. It helps clean out and revitalize your body. Two of my favorites resources are Cherie Calbom, The Juice Lady and Kris Carr, Crazy Sexy Kitchen.
Organic when available and mostly vegetarian choices. I was amazed by how good vegetarian food tastes. There are so many good cookbooks out there with tons of satisfying and tasty options. Here’s a sampling of some of my favorites.
Vitamins – I take a lot! B Complex (for stress), C (for stress), D (for mood), E (an antioxidant), Calcium/Magnesium (for bones), Ginkgo Biloba (for energy, mood, memory), Multi-Vitamin, Omega 3 (for brain, heart). I add in others from time to time – Alpha Lipoic Acid, CoQ10, Evening Primrose Oil, and Turmeric.
Lots of water – find out 10 good reasons to drink water - go here
#2 Exercise to energize
My goal is 4 times a week – 30-45 minutes each time. I like variation and it can be any kind of exercise - walking, low impact aerobics, kick boxing, light weights – it doesn’t matter.
I have watched my exercise DVD’s so many times, I don’t need to listen to the (boring?) instructions anymore. I like to listen to the radio (102.3) when I exercise. The music is energizing!
I decide what type of exercise I will do each day based on my mood. I usually don’t FEEL like exercising, but I always feel better after I do.
Tip: Commit to 10 minutes of exercise no matter what. If you hate it after 10 minutes, you can stop. I have never stopped after 10 minutes because I’m always starting to feel a bit better by that time.
Don't make the mistake of waiting for the motivation to exercise before starting because it's probably not showing up any time soon. Just commit to 10 minutes... I have never regretted exercising – you won’t either.
#3 Sleep
At least 7 hours a night and usually 8 hours. I don’t function well on less than that. For me, getting enough sleep is a necessary part of basic physical self-care.
#4 Essential Oils
My favorite essential oil and immune booster is Pure Organic Frankincense Oil. I put one drop under my tongue each morning. You can also apply it behind your ears, back of your neck or on the soles of your feet. You can mix a few drops in with coconut oil and use it as a body lotion or foot massage oil.
So as you can see, it’s just basic, simple things. Nothing fancy, but it feels great when this is a part of your life.
Remember to keep it simple and don’t make it harder than it needs to be. Making a smoothie doesn’t take much longer than eating a bowl of cereal. Buying and eating healthy food doesn’t take any longer than buying and eating unhealthy food. You get the idea!
When you have good health, you’re likely to feel better emotionally. If you skip the physical self-care, it’s going to be a challenge to feel good emotionally, mentally, and spiritually.
It can be fun taking good care of yourself and investing in your well-being. I love finding new recipes that taste great. I’m always on the look out for new exercise routines. And the icing on the cake is good health and well-being. Who doesn’t want that? And you are worth it and deserve it.
Food for Thought
Are you happy with how you feel health-wise these days?
How would one of these changes make a difference for you?
What first small step could you take this week to feel better?
If you know anyone who would benefit from what you've read here, please forward this blog to them or send them over to my website - thepsychologysite.org
Hi! I'm Beth Matthews. I'm a Registered Psychologist who is driven to helping people feel better about themselves. I help people who are struggling in their lives gain an awareness of how they can cope with anything that comes their way. With my easy-to-use strategies, you can feel better and become your best you!
matthews77@shaw.ca
780-721-9157
thepsychologysite.org
