How To Invest in Your Health and Why You NEED To
If you’re anyone who’s anyone in 2021, you have seen the rising trend of health and wellness in our society. With all of the influencers in our culture speaking up about ways to be healthy both mentally and physically, you are probably more aware of your wellness than ever. But if you’re still scratching your head about what that means and HOW you can invest in your health, this one is just for you.
What does it mean to invest in your health?
To invest in your health, is to say “yes” to a happier and longer life; it means putting the time, effort, energy and resources into YOU, your body and your mind. Which is definitely not always the obvious choice.
In this day and age, taking care of yourself tends to be the more difficult path. It’s pretty backwards, if you ask me. Organic, clean food tends to be more expensive. Physical activity and transportation take longer and more effort than driving a car. Natural health remedies take longer to be effective and aren’t just a “quick” fix. The products with clean ingredients are least accessible in stores and other tools in which you can be MOST healthy, tend to cost a pretty penny. But I have a secret for you; it’s worth it.
How can you invest in your health?
Knowing what it means to invest in your health is half the battle, the other half is knowing how.
Investing in your health can look many different ways. There are a million ways to level-up your health and wellness, and no perfect method. The goal is to do as much as possible, even if it’s just small habits.
Pay attention to the products you use
We’ve all used all the toxic products; cleaners, soaps, makeup, etc. that were pushed by the media and readily found on the shelves, without even thinking twice. The brands that are so heavily talked about are often the most filled with toxic chemicals, and most of us just haven’t been aware until recently. The ingredients that the FDA has allowed to be put into things we use and ingest have been linked to chronic disease and illness and yes, even cancer. Whether you’re putting these things in or on your body, they are quickly in your bloodstream and changing your cells as we speak.
A really simple and manageable way to invest in your health, is to look at the backside of the bottles. Take notice of the ingredients that are in your favorite products, and act accordingly. If there are a billion ingredients in them and you can’t even read ONE of them, there’s a chance it’s not the best product for you. A huge hack I would recommend to switching your products, is to download the Think Dirty app. All you do is scan your item, and it will tell you what it rates on a scale of clean to the most toxic. It takes out basically all the work of figuring out just how “bad” the product you’re using is.
Once you know what you’re ditching, do research in finding what products to switch to. Because health and wellness are on the rise, there is SO much out there as far as clean products for you to choose from. Some of the clean products with ethically sourced, organic ingredients have shown to be a little more expensive. But you’re getting what you pay for, your health is not something you want to “go cheap on”. Spend the extra buck to use products that nourish you, not deteriorate you.
Exercise regularly
Exercise doesn’t need to be a financial investment, as much as it is an investment of time and energy. Trust me, I understand that some days you just don’t FEEL like working out. But the benefits on your health, both mental and physical, are so great.
If you’re the kind of person who loves to run like me, make a running calendar and get out there daily or every other day. If you aren’t an already active person and don’t know what your “thing” is, start trying! Most workout groups have a free first class offer, so go do some taste-testing and see what you love most.
Try cycling, barre3, yoga, crossfit, a running group, or orangetheory. They are all amazing and worth the shot. Who knows, you may find the one you really love and it will keep you motivated and passionate about physical activity just by nature. A monthly membership at a gym ranges in price, but it can often be what deters you from taking the plunge. Reframe your thinking and look at it this way: investing in exercise is an investment in YOU. Your health and wellness are of the utmost importance. So, cut out a costly habit, like coffee, a few times a week to make room in your budget and take the leap. And if all of that sounds daunting right now - just get out for a twenty minute walk. You won’t regret it!
Eat clean + organic food
This one is so important and so looked past in our world. Eating food that is organic; created in a clean environment, not genetically modified or infused with toxic pesticides is one of the most important ways you can care for yourself. After all, we are what we eat. Your body is made up of and running fully on what you put into it, so why not feed it the best?
If you go to the store and take a look at produce, for example, you’ll see that one kind is typically more expensive than another. It is in our nature to shy away from the more expensive and opt for the lesser, but when it comes to your food that is not the answer. Choosing the organic broccoli vs. the conventional will cost you a little more, but if you consider what is IN that broccoli – you will realize that you’re saving yourself in much more profound ways.
Tip: go read about the dirty dozen and the clean 15. They are a list of what is of the utmost important to eat organically, and then a list of the foods you can get away with eating conventional for many different reasons. You’ll then know where you can’t cut corners, and where you can!
I’m not naïve to think that we can all afford an organic diet, but we all choose where to prioritize our spending. I believe eating organically should be the top priority for all of us; to give ourselves the best shot at true health, heal from and ward off illness, and inevitably save our lives. The extra money you spend on food each month to be well, will never compare to the money you would be spending if you were ill.
Start going to therapy
It’s past-time to normalize conversation surrounding mental health. While it is becoming less stigmatized, there is still such a misunderstanding of mental health and mental health issues. Our mental health is vital to our survival, and it’s so important that we all nurture and care for it as such.
If you care for your brain the way you care for your body, you are likely to be a much healthier person mentally and emotionally. There are many ways to help your mental health, but beginning work with a therapist is the biggest of them all. Life is hard, and I don’t say that lightly. We would be crazy to think that we could all navigate it gracefully without help. Therapy gives you the chance to express your thoughts and feelings freely, receive the tools from a professional to better cope with life’s challenges, and helps you to grow and be a better version of you.
The common understanding surrounding therapy, is that it’s only something you seek out when something bad is happening or you “need” it. But the reality is, we ALL need therapy, and it’s much better to begin before you need it. It’s time to invest in your mental health and make that call.
Establish a self-care routine
Self-care; it’s something you hear of often, but do you actually practice it in YOUR life? Often, we are over-worked, stressed by life’s challenges, exhausted for one reason or another, or just tapped out. In order to function at full-capacity for a long amount of time, we need moments of respite. Whether it’s one “you” activity per day, or one day dedicated to yourself per week, it’s important to prioritize self-care in your regular life.
Your self-care could be anything from unplugging and enjoying a glass of wine for an hour in the evening, to going on a long hike on your day off. Doing things that feed your mind and soul will refresh and replenish you, allowing you to give more of yourself to the other areas of life. Your work, kids, home-life and relationships will all benefit from you simply caring for YOU.
Now is the time.
There truly is no better time than the present to invest in your health and now you know how…
Pay attention to the products you use.
Exercise regularly
Eat clean + organically
Start going to therapy
Establish a self-care routine
Leading with these five changes, you will be well on your way to a healthier and happier lifestyle.
The world is a crazy, hard place to be right now. There are huge stresses, pandemic fatigue, political turmoil, and more. For over a year we have not been at our best, which makes it even more important to care for yourself and invest in your health. There is nothing more worth the investment. If you need help or tips on ways to be healthier, subscribe to this and send me an email. I’d love to help!
- Jackie