A Peer’s Perspective: Hakuna Fritatta
“Take care of your body. It’s the only place you have to live.”
– Jim Rohn
It has occurred to me that we are a lot like eggs. How, you may ask? Well, we can be fried when we are just simply worn down, scrambled when we are overwhelmed and doing everything at once, sunny side up when we wake up on the right side of the bed and everything is going great, and even over easy or over hard, depending on the day we’ve had. Another way we resemble this versatile capsule of goodness is that we are comprised of different parts: The shell, our protective exterior which holds all of the other parts together; the albumin-or ‘whites’, our inside systems which function separately and yet work together; the yolk, our core of memories, soul, mind and who we truly are. So with this omelet of metaphors on your plate, I’d like to serve up some conversation about how to take care of yourself in a holistic way so that you can address those days when you feel more whipped and beaten than sunny!
Diet is an area of focus that can truly affect mood and has a direct effect on our mental wellbeing. Choosing healthy options can make a world of difference. Many studies have shown that there is a direct correlation between a balanced diet and how we feel and function. I remember when I began to adjust the foods that I ate and added things that were better for my body, I was pleasantly surprised by the results. What healthy change can you make to what you eat each day?
We live in a fast-paced society where it appears the norm is to get one last thing done wherever/whenever you can fit it in to an already jam-packed schedule. Deadlines for work, children’s activities, errands and appointments take precedence over the restorative repose of healthy and a healthy amount of sleep. Without enough sleep you have less emotional regulation and can just feel poorly. Don’t ‘egg-spect’ balance and stability in your overall wellbeing without significant sleep and rest periods! What can you do to make sure you get the sleep you need each night?
Exercise — not everyone can or will run a marathon, ride a bike or have a workout routine at a gym. For many whether due to chronic pain or limited time, exercise isn’t on their radar. Simply taking a walk or adding some type if movement is healthy for your mind and body and even a small amount of regular exercise/movement has been proven to reduce anxiety, depression and stress and elevates mood. I used to be a runner and was hard core about exercise until I experienced pain in my feet. Stopping exercising altogether to avoid the pain, I found my mood suffered for it. When I finally did resume ‘egg-ercising’ (please forgive me, I couldn’t help myself!), I felt more balanced in my thinking with energy to take on the day! Consider adding some movement in your day to benefit your body and mind.
My wish for you today is that this conversation has sparked your thinking on some healthy ways that you can take care of your physical self that will also translate into benefits for your mental and emotional health, and that you find seasoning your repertoire with morsels that benefit your overall health really is all it’s cracked up to be!
Jill Davis is an author, musician, actress, master punner and Peer Services Coordinator for Mind Springs Health who clearly was hungry to write this tasty morsel of everyday wisdom. Take some time to digest what she has to share, and if you want to egg her on you can connect with her at Peers@MindSpringsHealth.org or on Facebook.
