For years, I believed that I had no control over what was happening to my body. I believed age and disease that were causing aches, pains, swelling, and stiffness, were only manageable through the use of pills and injections. Traditional medicine alone played an important role in my life.
I have come to realize that, along with traditional medicine, there are other things I can choose to do to better my physical and mental health. Of course, any changes or additions I have made were discussed with my healthcare provider first. Incorporating new practices into my daily routine, along with changing some of my old beliefs, has given me a new sense of power over my own health.
I am a morning person. Over the past year, I have started getting up extra early to watch the sunrise. I love listening to the sound of the birds as they awaken and watching the world come alive. There is something magical about seeing how the sun changes everything it touches and witnessing a new day begin.
Its true, coffee tastes more magical in the morning! Weather permitting, I wrap myself in a warm sweater and sip my coffee on my porch while taking in the cool morning air. I like to take fifteen to twenty minutes to listen to one of the short inspirational podcasts I subscribe to. Starting my morning off by listening to something motivational gives me a positive mindset, which sets my mood for the rest of the day.
I have started trying to limit my time on social media and also my time watching the news. Unfortunately, many news sources use scare tactics to get listeners' attention. What we read and hear can literally end up paralyzing us with fear and keep us from doing things we want to do. Its not that I never listen to the news, but I choose not to start my day filling my mind with negative input, and when I do listen, I choose my sources carefully. I would rather use the wonderful gift of my imagination to think of things that can better my life, rather than using it to instill fear over things that almost never happen.
I try hard to limit my caffeine intake to my morning coffee only and I splurged on a nice bottle to entice me to drink more water. When working, I try to remember to regularly get up, move around and stretch. I also take walks twice a day. My puppy is getting older, so even though our walks are shorter and slower, I still enjoy getting out. One of my favorite new additions to my health routine was getting back into swimming laps once a week at a local pool. I am a water spirit and swimming not only has physical benefits for my body but also my mind.
I started seeing a new physio-therapist and am learning how to strengthen parts of my body that I thought would always be weak. Building up strength and muscle has helped me to feel better physically and I have been able to decrease my use of traditional medicine. I have taken up using weights at home and am additionally joining a local fitness center to increase my weight training.
My reading choices have changed. I choose to read material that will either better my life in some way or teach me something. This was the inspiration for my own personal blog and I hope whoever is reading this or any of my other posts, feels strength, love, or at the least, it makes you smile. If it does, then I have done my job.
I have journaled for as long as I can remember and continue to do so almost every day. Putting my thoughts and dreams and inspirations for the future down on paper, gives me clarity and something to strive for. Writing is my passion and I have enjoyed creating my blog posts. Several years ago, I challenged myself to start writing something larger. Life got busy and it got set aside and forgotten about. At the beginning of this year, I decided it was time to dedicate myself to finishing my first novel. It is a long process, but I am excited about creating something I have dreamed of, no matter how long it takes. I can't wait to share it with you in the future!
I realize that putting my own wants and needs first is not selfish. I am worth it. If I choose to socialize or spend time alone, I will do what is best for me. What other people think of me is not my business.
A positive mindset affects both my mental and physical well-being. My life is wonderful and I choose to look for the good in the world, not the evil, to be happy, not sad, and to know that I live in a positive giving world, not a fearful, hateful one. I will try not to live in the past and not to worry too much about the future. I will enjoy each day. I know what I do to my body today, what I fill my mind with, will affect how I feel tomorrow and each day ahead of me. I trust my body's ability to get stronger and healthier.
Above all... I believe I can do anything I set my healthy body and mind too!
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