I was watching old episodes of Ally McBeal the other day while doing some work (don’t ask me why—the selection on Netflix is pitiful these days), and during one early episode, after everything else in her life goes wrong, she repeats, “I have my health. I have my health. I have my health…” over and over.
And it’s true, isn’t it? There are so many things that are important to us… our families, our careers, our hobbies… but without our health, where would we be?
Yet for some reason, in this day and age, people seem to take their health for granted.
There’s so much information out there about how to keep yourself healthy into old age, yet people rarely follow it—thinking instead that they are invincible and that they don’t need to do these things and follow these rules, even though everyone else should.
Think about it.
How many people do you know that value their sleep?
Eat fresh produce on a regular basis?
Make an effort to exercise and be active in their daily lives?
Rarely eat fried and fatty foods?
Eat a well balanced diet full of whole foods 80-90% of the time?
Keep their lives (mostly) stress-free?
Take some time out during their day for themselves… to stretch, think, and relax?
Most people don’t take care of themselves.
Unless you live in a health mecca or surround yourself with healthy people (if so, good for you!), the answer to this question is probably… not many. Maybe even none.
Let’s face it: we all take our health for granted at times.
I probably drink more red wine and eat more chocolate than is good for me, but I enjoy it, and I value enjoyment in my life.
I don’t always get enough sleep… but I do my best to get eight hours a night, and on days when I get less, I try to take a 20 minute nap to make up for it.
I get overstressed from work and too many commitments… but I try to do some yoga, walking meditation or sitting in the sun (my favorite form of relaxation) at least a couple of times a week.
I do these things because I want to live a long, happy, prosperous life.
I value my health. Do you?