MaXIMIze - Physical Health - Extreme Self-Care

What fuels you? Asked another way, what type of fuel do you put into your body?

Are you dependent on that cup (or cups) of coffee to get you going in the morning, or is sipping the coffee while journaling and unhurriedly starting your day part of the ritual?

Do you eat breakfast in a timely manner or do you run on fumes? What do you eat for breakfast - donuts or other processed carbs or oatmeal, fruit, eggs, and/or yogurt?

Do you drink enough water during throughout the day - about eight glasses - that is eight eight-ounce glasses or one two-liter bottle - per day?

Are you dependent on wine, beer, or other alcoholic drinks to wind down and go to sleep at the end of the day, or is a glass of wine paired with a healthy dinner, again, part of the ritual?

And let's not forget the midday meal - do you take the time to eat a nutritious lunch or do you hit the drive-thru for fast food or worse yet, skip lunch or run on sugary drinks or junk food?

Do you truly take the time to slow down and get things accomplished, or are you running on adrenaline, moving from crisis point to crisis point, putting out fires but never really accomplishing or even mapping out long-term progress?

Do you take the time to mindfully exercise or is it something you check the box on while multi-tasking - or skip altogether?

Do you get enough rest and/or sleep? Studies now show that we need seven to nine hours of restful sleep per night on average or we end up in sleep deficit. Other cultures close down at midday for siesta time. I can tell you I need at least six if not the seven to nine hours recommended to be in top form the next day, and I find myself taking a nap at least one day of the weekend - an average of two hours napping - if I've shorted myself on sleep by or for whatever reason during the week. When we are well-rested, we can handle stress - both day-to-day and crisis mode - much better.

Do you allow yourself to get worked up by news stories or the stories of others about things over which you have no control instead of focusing on what is in your sphere of control and/or influence?

All of these things have an effect on our physical health.

We are given one body to live in and take care of during our time here - how are you taking care of yours?

Over the remainder of the month, we will look into some of these things in depth.

Until next time - Namaste!