Prioritize your health, if you do not want to make time for your illness.

This one kind of slapped me in the face this year.  My nanny was unexpectedly out for a whole month and I had a lot planned in that time period.  With and infant and two other small kids, it’s hard to get much done without help.  I was putting too much pressure on myself, internalizing the stress and let all of my self-care and mindfulness practices fall to the wayside.

Next thing I knew, I had shingles.  Luckily, I didn’t really have skin issues but the nerve pain in the right side of my head was excruciating.  It was a wake up call.  I have to make my health (mental and physical) a priority or it will force me to do so.  I am reminded of an old Indian proverb “A healthy person has many wishes, a sick person has one.”  Boy, did I feel this.  And you better believe it is a priority now.

So, I hope my story can be a lesson for you.  Inspire you to make your health a priority.

Take a moment to ask yourself, are your priorities aligned with your goals?

Most people I speak with cannot answer yes to this question. They want to feel better. They want more energy. Some want to lose a few pounds. But often times their actions don’t line up.

I see so many people make excuses for why they aren’t taking care of themselves and I’ve been there.  Sometimes it’s time or money. But most of them have time to scroll social media and do other tedious things. They drive expensive cars or buy lots of clothes. But I ask you, if you don’t have your health, does any of that really matter? I don’t think it does and after being crippled by the pain of shingles, I shifted my actions to meet my priorities.

It may be time to reevaluate your priorities. You may have to move your schedule around or learn to live with a little less stuff. When you feel good, your life becomes more vibrant and fulfilling. Things become easier and maybe you earn that time and money back in new ways because you have more energy and are more efficient.

Before I go, I want to address one more thing: your limiting beliefs around health. Maybe you believe you can’t eat healthy because it is too expensive or you’ll never be able to have a few minutes to exercise or take care of your mental well-being.

If you are using words like “can’t” and “never” they will most likely be your reality. If you can start to shift your perspective and the language you use, you open yourself up to new possibilities.

Reframe the question as “how can I eat healthier” and “how can I fit in…”.  Start opening your mind to new things. Inspiration is everywhere if you are open to it and I am always happy to help.

P.S.  If you found this useful, please share it with a friend! I’m on a mission to help busy women align their priorities with their health goals and any time you share it helps me do that more.