Healthy Outside and In?

I’m just going to say it. Being healthy isn’t easy. Many days, it’s hard…really hard. I’d always been a sort of “active” girl because I came from an active family–but the closer I got to my thirties, the more I realized, “Whew, okay this is becoming a bigger challenge.” The more I push(ed) myself to stay on track, the more I realize(d) that, as cliche as it sounds, “being” healthy is a marathon. It is literally a state of being. Optimal self-health is something you openly invite and allow to manifest –not in a fad diet or regimented workout streak, but rather an endless pursuit that becomes a lifestyle.

I thought, “If I am always thinking about my healthy–I will BE healthy because that’s what I’m pursuing, right?”

To arrive at this state of being, I told myself to let go of the ideal and high hope (but not an impossibility) of being my college weight. I ignored numbers–whether dress size or what was reflected on the scale — and instead focused on getting to the best Steph. For me, this “being” meant everything from eating right, getting enough sleep, treating my body well. But in all that, I found (and still sometimes find) myself neglecting my body’s most important asset–my spirit. 

 

 

There isn’t enough kale and kickboxing in the world that can address a neglected spirit. It too has to keep in shape.

 

The best thing I’ve come to know is that  health is all-encompassing, it covers not only the physical, but the emotional and spiritual too. For me, I can’t take care of the physical unless my spirit is in tip-top shape. I won’t say that I’ve mastered it and I’m no guru or spiritual trainer–but I’m sharing tips below for how to keep your spirit in shape!

OnE

Take it one day at a time. Just like beginning a physical workout regiment, a spiritual regiment requires that you set a pace that meets you where you are. Sometimes when I feel spiritually depleted, I can’t jump into the deep end by immersing myself in a bookshelf full of self-help books or endless scriptures. Sometimes, I just need a slow start that starts with short, soft prayers.

 

tWo 

Feel everything. I am the queen of compartmentalizing and in doing that, I ignore what’s really happening. I pretend my disappointment didn’t happen–or that I am not hurt. This is dangerous. Allow yourself to feel everything. When happy, don’t cheat yourself. Try your best to avoid skepticism and just feel the full emotion of happiness. When hurt or disappointed, emote. And emote freely. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you cry or are visibly shaken. Let it all out–processing is always helped out by just feeling it all.

 

THreE

Partner up. Find a trusted friend who can not only check in on you, but someone who knows your spirit and keep you accountable to behavior that best complements your spiritual health. In turn, be the same to that person or persons.

 

fOUr

Forget the past. Whatever it is that may be keeping you from investing in yourself in this capacity, forgettaboutit! Forgive yourself and forge forward. Your spiritual vitality depends on it. I’ve made my mistakes–a ton of them, awful, foolish, shameful mistakes–but I’m moving forward a whole lot wiser and you should too. Self-forgiveness lightens your load. Don’t carry the past into another day.

Forget perfection. Don’t even aim for it. Everyday is different. You don’t have to be the “picture of health” for anyone but yourself. You may not always have a positive response to challenges. You may have really great days and really off days. Be fine with that. You’re human. And if you go at your own pace, you’ll soon find yourself growing!

 

 

FIvE

Don’t quit. Don’t give up on pursuing your spiritual health. You are too valuable to do that to yourself. Setbacks? Sure. Those are bound to happen. Start again. And again. And again–keeping your spirit in mind with everything you do. But don’t ever decide that tuning in to the inner most parts of who you are and how you feel just isn’t that worth it. Because it is.

In due time, you will find that you’ve developed such a strong core that regardless of what’s happening–the good, the ‘eh not so good’–your spirit can handle it because it’s strong and thriving!

xo

Steph