May 2, 2023

Prioritizing Your Health: Because Netflix and Cheetos Can't Be Your Only Friends

Updated: Dec 8, 2023

How to make yourself a priority in your lifestyle health plan?

I welcome you to "Prioritising Your Health: Because Netflix and Cheetos Can't Be Your Only Friends." Maintaining a sense of moderation is of the utmost importance regarding our well-being, even though we all have vices to which we occasionally give in for pleasure. It is time for us to take back control of our health and make it a top priority in our modern society, where it is all too easy to put our health and well-being on the back burner. In this blog, we will discuss a variety of helpful pointers for taking care of oneself, such as practices that are good for your health and methods that can improve your mental and physical well-being. So put down the Cheetos, take a bottle of water, and join me in taking the first step towards a better you.

Nurse burnout: the importance of work-life balance

To start making yourself a priority, you first need to find time in your day to work on your goals.

Many of us ask ourselves, where did the time go? And this has only increased since the pandemic, with many saying the crisis negatively impacts their work-life balance. There is no better time than now to start to take back control of your life and put in place positive habits to help make your physical, mental and social well-being a priority again.

Have you ever given any attention to why it's so challenging to put your health and well-being first? Would you feel guilty for giving yourself time to relax and recharge? Or are you confused about how to get started? The reason doesn't matter; the moment has come to quit placing yourself last on the priority list. Imagine what you'd be able to do if you made taking care of yourself a top priority. What aspects of your life would be different? Now is the moment to discover the answer.

Create new positive habits

When you want to change a lot of things in your life, it can be overwhelming if you try to change everything at once. Check out the list below to help create positive habits that work for you.

● Don’t try and change everything at once- create a list of everything you want to improve and then prioritize one thing to start working on.

● Create a habit, not just the result- focus on changing old habits and behaviours rather than your end goal.

● All the small changes add to something big- start small; why not take the stairs daily or ditch the fizzy drinks? Each change you make will contribute to your end goal.

● Don’t worry if you slip up. Don’t let a bad day turn into a bad week. Every day is a fresh start; take a breath and continue working on your goals.

● Fit new habits into your life- Make your habits work for you. Set reminders on your phone to keep track and be realistic about what you can achieve each week.

Habits to help prioritize YOU in your health journey

It's very natural to experience guilt if you take time out to focus on yourself. When prioritising self-care over other duties, society frequently conveys the message that doing so is indulgent or a sign of selfishness. However, ignoring your well-being can result in exhaustion, a drop in productivity, and even physical health problems. Therefore, it is essential to redefine how you think about taking care of yourself rather than feeling bad about it. It is not selfish to do so; instead, it is required for the general health and happiness of the individual.

Beginning something new is not always easy, mainly if you are unsure how or where to start. On the other hand, the good news is that there is no universally applicable method of practising self-care. It's about figuring out what works for you and making that part of your everyday routine so it becomes second nature. You can ease into a healthier lifestyle by beginning with baby steps like scheduling time for exercise, ensuring you get enough sleep each night, or taking breaks during the day to stretch and take deep breaths. The most important thing is to maintain a consistent and deliberate approach to prioritizing self-care. If you do this, you will start to see good changes in all aspects of your life, and you will be able to accomplish your goals with greater ease and delight.

When setting priorities for your health journey, it is vital to remember that everyone's journey is unique in its way. It's possible that what works well for one individual will have a different effect on another. It is critical to practise self-compassion and acknowledge that developing new routines is a process that requires both time and energy investment. Concentrate on implementing manageable adjustments appropriate for your way of life, and gradually build upon those over time. Remember that achieving improved health is not a race but a marathon; the only way to complete it successfully is to take things one step at a time. You'll be well on your way to leading a happier and healthier life if you develop routines that emphasize maintaining your physical, mental, and social well-being.

When prioritizing your well-being, looking at different areas of your life is essential. Below are some ideas to help you prioritize your physical, mental and social health.

Nurse off duty investing in person well-being

Physical Health

You are looking after your physical health takes knowledge and commitment. It can be overwhelming if you feel you have a long way to meet your goal. Healthy eating and exercise are great ways to help make you a priority and get enough rest and sleep to recharge your body and mind.

Maintaining healthy habits like going to the gym and eating well might sometimes feel like work. But what if we gave it a humorous twist instead? Consider it a challenge to become a superhero version of yourself rather than a punishment for indulging in that extra slice of pizza the night before instead of thinking of it as a punishment for indulging in it. Picture yourself possessing the stamina and agility of Wonder Woman, as well as the strength and velocity of The Flash. Who wouldn't want to have the power to save the world? In addition, you will have the extra benefit of feeling fantastic in your physical and mental health. The time has come to put on your cape (or gym clothes) and get ready to move!

Mental Health

The habits mentioned above are also great for helping improve your mental health. Building good mental health habits will help you become more resilient to life situations.

Other ways to improve your mental health include

● Talking About Your Feelings- this could be to a friend, family member or professional therapist. It’s good to talk to others if you feel you are struggling.

● Practice positive self-talk, gratitude, compassion and forgiveness.

Social Health

Social health isn’t talked about as much as physical and mental health, but it is just as important. Creating time for positive relationships and interactions with others is vital when looking after our well-being. Get involved with events in your local area, take your family out for the day or join a keep-fit group to help meet others and build healthy relationships.

When it comes to maintaining good mental health, it is essential to treat one's brain with the respect and care that it merits. It's true that we all experience highs and lows, but maintaining good mental health on a consistent basis is really necessary. The question now is, what can you do to improve your mental performance? One helpful method is to talk

about your feelings, but not to yourself in the mirror (even though this is something that all of us do). Talk about the challenges you're facing with a close friend, a member of your family, or a therapist who can assist you in working through any problems. Also, don't discount the importance of having encouraging conversations with yourself. If you accidentally run into a wall in the future, rather than calling yourself clumsy, you could remark something like, "That wall appeared out of nowhere!" Have faith in us; your thinking processes will be grateful.

Although it might not have the same marketing budget as physical health, social health is just as crucial as physical health. We as humans are social beings, and our well-being is directly tied to the quality of our connections with and interactions with other people. Make some plans to hang out with friends or family, sign up for a local group or club, or go to an event that's happening in your area. You will not only improve your social health and overall well-being by participating in new activities, but you will also increase your chances of meeting new people and forming new relationships. Who knows, you might even meet someone new with whom you can discuss the benefits of positive self-talk.

It may seem like an overwhelming chore, but making sure that you are a priority in the health plan that you have created for your lifestyle is a vital step towards leading a life that is both fulfilling and healthy. Not only will you increase your well-being, but also the quality of your life, if you make it a priority to take care of your physical, mental, and social health. It's time to stop feeling guilty about taking care of yourself and to stop being confused about how to go about doing so. It's time to start living your best life. Keep in mind that it is never too late to begin, and that even the smallest step you take towards making yourself a priority counts. Now is the time to take a few deep breaths, grant yourself permission to put your own needs first, and take the first step towards a healthier and happier version of yourself!

Unlocking the Secret to Sustainable Health Prioritization

As you embark on your journey to prioritize your health, it's important to recognize that there's no one-size-fits-all approach. Just as we all have unique fingerprints, our paths to better health are equally distinctive. So, why not view this process as a thrilling adventure rather than a daunting task? Imagine your health journey as a treasure hunt where each positive habit uncovered is a precious gem leading you closer to a healthier, happier you. With this mindset, you'll not only prioritize your well-being but also savour the excitement of discovery along the way.

The Superhero Transformation: Making Health Fun

Transforming your physical health doesn't have to be a tedious endeavour; it can be an exhilarating quest to unleash your inner superhero. Instead of begrudgingly hitting the gym, picture yourself as a caped crusader in training, gearing up to conquer the challenges of everyday life. With each workout, you're one step closer to embodying the strength and resilience of your favourite heroes. Don't forget, even superheroes take time for self-care – it's their secret weapon for maintaining peak performance. So, don your metaphorical cape and let your journey to better health become a thrilling adventure of its own.

Reflection

What steps will you take today to make your health and well-being a top priority?
What is the one thing you can do this week to make your health 1% better?
What is the best time of day for you to implement a small positive change to your day?
What is working for you now? Share your health plan priority below
How can you hold yourself accountable for prioritizing your health and well-being?