Have you ever heard the expression, “hindsight is 20-20”?
What might it be like if we acted now rather than wishing we did later?
If your older self could travel back in time, what might they ask you to do differently?
What hopes and dreams do you have for your older self?
How would your future self like to feel? What’s important about that? What might you be able to do now to make sure that happens?
A few years ago, I decided to do genetic testing to see how my body was wired to react to certain foods and exercise. The results were surprising. One thing I discovered was that my body is predisposed to be abnormally deficient in practically all nutrients! I thought, ‘what if I hadn’t completely changed my eating habits to a healthy style at 20 something?’ In my 20’s, I had already developed gut issues from stress and was fatigued. These problematic symptoms improved after changing to my new eating habits which included a multitude of all the nutrients, I hadn’t known my body needed. This discovery fueled my determination to maintain these habits now more than ever as I get older. This test opened my eyes wide to the fact that if I don’t take care of my health now, the older me could face possible health struggles I can avoid.
So, why wait until we are older to ask ourselves if we could’ve done something differently?
What might be something we can do now to prepare for our future? How might this benefit us later?
Healthy aging can start with stress reduction. People are often unaware of what stress can do to the body and mind. Stress is bad for the heart, can give you headaches, or possibly make you feel depressed; yet, in some instances stress is good. “Adrenaline increases your heart rate, elevates your blood pressure, and boosts energy supplies. Cortisol, the primary stress hormone, increases sugars (glucose) in the bloodstream, enhances your brain’s use of glucose and increases the availability of substances that repair tissues” (mayoclinic.org, March 19, 2019). We can’t always
eliminate the things that cause us tension; however, building our resilience to stress is the key to living healthier and happier.
So, what can we do to get some relief from anxiety?
Some examples that may help us to find that relief:
• Reading a good book.
• Journaling is something many find helpful. Write down your feelings, emotions, thoughts, and so on.
• Schedule something special for yourself. Maybe a nice hot, bubble bath. Add some candles around the tub, soak, and enjoy.
Go with whatever works best for you.
Your older you will thank you later for taking care of yourself now to maintain a healthier you as you age.
Let’s face it. Every day we all get another day older but that doesn’t mean we can’t also be healthier each of those days.
If you haven’t already planned your “ME” time for “ME” Monday®, schedule it now! To learn more contact [email protected]. #ME-Monday
