Hope for your health
My heart raced. I laid in my bed, eyes staring wide at the ceiling. “Breathe Jen, breathe.” I took off my socks and threw off the covers. Beads of sweat began to drip from my forehead. Inhale hope, exhale fear. “You know what is truth Jen, meditate there.” It was brief. Maybe five to seven minutes. Just a little panic that set in as I wondered, “Is my Addie at risk?”
You cannot turn on your TV, radio or computer without health being the hot topic at the top of every hour. There are mostly unknowns about this pandemic named COVID19. There are a few things we do know as the scientist, global medical professionals and disease experts have revealed the unwanted virus sweeping our land. We are all susceptible; no one is immune. However, we know the people of highest risk are those 60 years of age and older. We know that people with autoimmune diseases are increased risk. We know people who smoke and those who are on chemotherapy are in greater danger. And we know that people who are obese and have high blood pressure or diagnosed diabetics are taking a greater chance. I don’t know about Addie. My sixteen year old high school daughter who has Down Syndrome. There’s been no statements on that. But I do know that just like the day she entered our life, this day, we are all changed. We will never be the same again.
Out of control.
I think that defines the majority of our circumstances now. Those three words, out of control; they wake us up in the middle of the night and penetrate our thoughts as we drip our morning coffee. Our agendas have been altered; our jobs have changed. Our freedom to come and go has shifted, and we are now all homeschool moms. These are all things we have no power over. There has been great loss in this for all of us. But what if life is not to be won, but to overcome.
But no matter what comes, we will always taste victory through Him who loved us. Romans 8:37
Good things come out of bad.
This is not the end. It is the middle. And in this middle of difficulty what opportunity can we find? How do we overcome? There are changes that can be made in you that would not have happened otherwise. What was once optional, now becomes a command. Like helping my kids with their math. (Lord help!)
Today I want to share hope for your health in four areas I have expertise in as a health coach:
1. It’s time to eat better. You can get yourself out of peril by making a better food choice. In times of stress your body will crave the foods that catapult the cycle of weight gain. The high glycemic carbohydrates and starch foods that quickly raise your blood sugar to a high level and put your body in a fat storage mode. Healthy fuelings are a powerful tool as a part of my comprehensive approach to healthy eating.
2. It’s time to move. Many of us are missing out on a huge number of rewards that come from living a more active lifestyle. Those rewards don’t just include a lowered chance for heart disease. Sitting less could mean a longer life, which means more time to spend creating beautiful memories with the people we love. And we all know how much more valuable that is today. Keep it simple. If you get a call, take it standing. With more free time, take a walk. Turn off the news and do some stretching or get real wild and find a home workout video on YouTube.
3. It’s time for intention. I have guided many clients through a habits of health system that enables you to become more aware of the choices you are making. You can better understand the emotions and reactions that drive your feelings and behaviors. You can reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. For 30 seconds a day, go somewhere quiet. Sit down, and close your eyes. Breathe slowly, in and out. Big, deep breaths. Reflect on what you are feeling and identify why you are feeling that way. Think about your goals and what you want to accomplish. Next, think about the choices that surround those feelings. What choices can you make that better align with your goals for today?
4. It’s time to focus on what matters most. I believe this day will be a day when many of us eliminate non-essentials. For many this has bumped us out of our comfort zone and into our creative zone. Who do I really want to surround my life with? How do I really want to spend my time? I think we all have a deeper appreciation now that at the end of our life none of us will wish for a bigger car or a grander house. It’s the things that bring fulfillment and the relationships we’ve built that matter now.
I strongly believe that what we do with this bad will define who we become. I pray this crisis sharpens our focus and we embrace this hope for our health.