The Importance Of Maintenance To Keep Healthy
“Keeping your body healthy is an expression of gratitude to the whole cosmos- the trees, the clouds, everything.” – Thich Nhat Hanh
There comes a time when you can no longer ignore what your body and mind are telling you (or your pet). When your physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing are in need of restoration and support, it’s time to take a step back and reevaluate your priorities. One day, I had finally reached that point. I realized that getting in better physical shape is an important piece of restoring balance in my life. So I made a commitment to myself by joining a gym.
I went for an initial consultation and assessment to determine my injuries, weakness, and source of imbalance. Then I had to maintain my commitment to my overall health by showing up and putting the work in at least twice a week. And I am happy to say, I have been doing this for the past few weeks. But, week three proved to be the toughest. I wanted to quit; came up with all the reasons I shouldn’t go, but I decided to go anyway (and may have complained the whole session).
Why am I sharing this, you ask?
Well, for several reasons. It can be very simple to turn a blind eye to our own needs, formulate excuses for not doing the right thing, or creating a plan with every intent to follow through, then do nothing. Because becoming physically fit by going to the gym is a piece of my health puzzle. No animal or person has the luxury of going once, working out, and staying fit for life! I recognized that staying strong is a long game that takes grit, desire, dedication, and commitment. The longer I commit to this process, the more I realize that those same characteristics apply to the other pieces of my life in which I’d like to see improvement. My health maintenance routine also requires regular acupuncture and massages to prevent physical imbalances. So each time I show up for my appointments and go to the gym, I’m investing in myself. Simply put: staying healthy takes work!
This can be a tough pill to swallow since we live in this world of instant gratification. But remembering that the road to optimal holistic health is a journey, not a destination can help us focus on the value of taking this process one step at a time. Taking a holistic approach to health and wellness includes whatever pieces make up your own health and wellness puzzle, as well as your pet’s. Overnight successes in life are rare, but taking the opportunity to dedicate each moment toward reaching your health and life goals will help you start to see the changes you want to manifest in your life.
Good luck!
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