For Better Health, Be Selfish

By Terry Douglas, Maryland Elder Law Attorney

Douglas Law Office

More Weight Control, Nutrition & Exercise Articles

For Better Health, Be Selfish

Do you struggle with setting boundaries or taking the time to care for yourself? Oftentimes, we tend to volunteer at church or in the community, and we care for others; yet, at times, are uncomfortable saying “NO” when our plates are full.

What are some of the potential consequences? Weight gain, high blood pressure, or anxiety.

Our bodies have four levels, which are referred to as ESPM.
E Emotional How we feel.
S Spiritual How well we are connected to ourselves and to others.
P Physical The condition of our body.
M Mental How we think (positive or negative).

What happens if you kept your foot on the gas pedal and never took it off? You'd run out of gas and overheat the engine. Just as you have to stop the car once in a while, we also have to pause and stop our activities of doing and doing. Think about it, even a TV remote control has a stop and pause button.

What would optimal health look like for you? If your body sends you a signal to pause, do you listen?

Here are some of the health strategies to incorporate into your daily routine

Drink water. Start you day with a glass of water (or hot water and lemon juice). Drink eight or more glasses of water throughout the day.

Eat every 2-3 hours. Eat five small meals a dayin order to prevent drops in blood glucose levels, because glucose is the main source of energy for the brain. Don't skip meals. Eat 80% green vegetables, beans, and salads with 20% meat, such as chicken or turkey. Tree nuts and seeds are good snacks (cashews, walnuts, or pumpkin seeds). Stop eating breads, pasta, and sweets for a while.

Go outdoors and take a short walk. Breathe in the fresh air, walk barefoot in the grass, listen to the birds, stand next to a tree, sit by the lake, or feel the wind and the warm sun. Think of it as recharging your inner battery.

Stop and pause between activities. To manage stress, sit quietly for three minutes several times a day. Focus on your breath in and out. Likewise, jot down your thoughts in a journal.

Start and end your day with gratitude. Between shutting off the alarm and leaping out of bed, spend a few minutes thinking about what you have to be grateful for your family, good health, a roof over your head. This will put you in a better frame of mind throughout the day.

Turn off electronics and lights at sundown. Say a positive affirmation as you fall asleep. For example, “I am healthy; life supports me; I love life”.

It's okay to be selfish. Give yourself permission to make you the priority. Take action to get your energy back and enjoy life with every breath.

Say, yes to you. Decelerate and take time to pause, stop, and play.