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A friend of mine and I were chatting yesterday, and she brought up the idea that we can follow all of these wellness tricks, we can check off all the health to-do’s on our list, and still end up with a sickness or ailment because we live in a broken world where we can’t run from it all. It’s so easy to get bogged down in the “health” world and think, maybe we just aren’t doing enough.

This is a reminder that no matter where you find yourself on this spectrum, we can never heal ourselves back to perfection, or perfect health.

Don’t let this scare you. Your lifestyle still matters and can greatly affect your wellbeing long-term. Rather, allow this to be an encouragement and a reminder that if you miss the mark, whether it was a couple days or your entire life so far, it won’t ruin the trajectory of your life and purpose (a trap I often find myself falling into.)

You can never do enough to keep the sickness away, and you can never do too much to keep your health away.

Your Body as a Temple

I might lose you here if this isn’t your worldview, but the idea that our body is a temple should dictate your daily decisions.

Hungry? Eat something that provides sustenance and energy.

Tired? Have some water, move, or drink tea.

Your body was made to move, not sit and relax every moment. How can you utilize the energy you were given today?

That same friend from before also mentioned that she’s learning to make use of the energy each day brings. We aren’t guaranteed tomorrow, and we’re not even guaranteed our health each day. When you wake up and feel ready to take on the day, don’t take it for granted.

Are You Being Influenced?

I heard recently from this girl somewhere on social media that she wouldn’t listen to (negative) comments from people she wouldn’t normally take advice from, and that resonated with me.

And then it got me thinking too… Why would we take lifestyle advice from someone we don’t actually look up to? We follow and swipe through others’ lives that appear so exhilarating and… well, perfect. But are these “influencers” living a life you want to pursue? Believe me, I am quick to research a new cleaning routine or admire someone’s handy tip on how to maximize your day.

But why would I be quick to pick up somebody’s dreamy, entrepreneurial habits when I don’t really want my life to look like theirs?

I believe we very rarely come across others who live lives we truly want. (And I’m not talking about the free-lancer who lives in some coastal town where every day is peace and vibes. We all have our dreams). I’m referring to those who have similar situations and fully embrace life the way we would for ourselves.

A word of encouragement and a challenge: go through your follow list and let go of those who don’t hold the same values. It can be very life-giving when those you observe (almost) daily are those who strive alongside you. May they be inspiration and accountability for you instead of wishful thinking and self-deprecation.

So… if you hold similar values and crave what I crave, let’s outline this journey together.

1. Eat Real, Whole Foods

We’ve all heard this a thousand times before, but we need to get back to real, whole foods. There’s a reason food comes straight from the Earth and is readily accessible. These are the foods we should be reaching for majority of the time.

Start with protein; animal is ideal, if possible. Then, reach for the fruits and vegetables. Cook your veggies often because consuming them raw can be difficult on the stomach. And with the little room you have leftover, add on some carbs.

Contrary to modern belief, we need carbs and we need fat in our meals. Carbs give us quick energy (so they’re great before physical activities), and fats help our bodies maintain hormone and vitamin balance.

Let’s make it happen: Shop for protein first. Fill your fridge and pantry mostly with eggs, Greek yogurt, sandwich meats, sausages, various raw meats, and cottage cheese. Pair in a vegetable or two to go with each, like bell pepper, cucumber, or spinach. Then, add in any extra sides that complement your meals.

Recently, we had a craving for nachos. We started with ground beef, cheese, and sour cream. Then, we added in homemade guacamole and lastly, of course, some chips. (We only bought chips because we were having nachos. Otherwise, we don’t typically keep chips or crackers in our pantry.)

2. Get Outside

We need sunlight. We need fresh air. And we need to surround ourselves in nature. It’s not everyone’s cup of tea, and I get that, but every once in a while, it’s good to hear the birds singing when you don’t feel like it.

Sunlight is vital for your body: immunity, eyesight, hormones, sleep. Much is dependent on sunshine absorption.

Fresh air is a real thing. I always thought it was a coping strategy for anxiety and overwhelm, but truly fresh air is important. Staying cooped up inside where the air is stagnant, and filled with dust and more, keeps you breathing the same particles over and over. Getting outside, or even opening your windows, allows for new air to filter in and stale air to flow out.

Let’s make it happen: Eat outside! Breakfast, lunch, dinner (if the sun’s still out). Find a break in your day and go for a 10-15 minute walk. Spend your days off outside.

3. Go to Sleep! Early!

I’m preaching to the choir at this point. Anyone who knows me understands that I’m a notorious night owl. Getting into bed and actually going to sleep early might be the hardest thing.

Our bodies follow a rhythm with the sun. You might know this as circadian rhythm. And because we follow this rhythm, our bodies function on this schedule. When we sleep, our hormones surge, muscles repair, and immunity builds. This is best accomplished in a deep sleep, around midnight.

I’m still learning and trying to understand this in depth, but from what I understand, without an earlier bedtime, we can miss this necessary recovery that occurs during sleep. Heading to bed around 10pm ensures you experience this phase.

Let’s make it happen: After dinner, start tuning down. Don’t start up a new task (other than tidying the kitchen after dinner) or watch more episodes. Find a good book, maybe a soothing podcast. Enjoy some tea, or your drink of choice. Aim for sleep @ 10pm.

4. Move Your Body

By now, you probably feel like you’re a kid again, learning the basics of livelihood. How silly is it that we quickly forget these fundamentals as we get older?

“I don’t have time.” “There’s too much on my schedule.” So many things get in our way of accomplishing the essentials.

Sometimes, we need a reminder that life doesn’t always feel worth living when we lose these basics.

We thrive when we listen to our bodies and our souls. Longevity doesn’t come from the hustle. It comes from the nourishing and caring of ourselves.

Let’s make it happen: Walk for a break in your day, or after lunch. Schedule a time to walk with a friend. Lift some weights for 10 minutes. Have a dance party! If you can’t do an entire workout, just make sure you keep moving your body throughout the day.

Next Steps

Once these routines become second-nature to you, try implementing some new habits: Swapping out different products for cleaner, low-toxic options; doubling down on nourishment; cooking from scratch and making your own pantry staples.

And if this isn’t for you…

That’s okay! I understand where you’re at. All I hope is that you’re tuning into your soul and making sure it’s doing well. And while you were here, I hope you found something helpful for your soul.

OG