Here’s to better Health in the new year
While on my mental health recovery journey, I’ve come to know the saying that “Mental health is as important as physical health”.
This was illuminating to me. And I fully agree!
As human beings, we tend to prioritise (and even believe?) what we can see compared to what we can’t. We are extremely visual creatures.
As such, my new year’s resolutions have been shaped by this new knowledge of HEALTH.
Emotional Health
I’ve shared many times over – and can’t emphasise enough – feelings are important and all feelings are valid. I’ve learnt this in my time in therapy and Codependents Anonymous.
Not knowing how to identify one’s feelings is a sign and symptom of Codependency.
In the past, I thought the right thing to do is to control my feelings. I’ve learnt that isn’t right, it is akin to suppressing how I feel, and there is a reason for every feeling that arises from within.
Emotion arises at the place where mind and body meet. It is the body’s reaction to your mind—or you might say, a reflection of your mind in the body.
Eckhart Tolle
This year, I want to increase my awareness about my feelings, I want to take stock of however I’m feeling, I want to be more honest and conscious with my feelings, and take time to honour WHATEVER I am feeling.
Related: Emotional awareness
Mental Health
This is something I’m already working on, and will continue working on.
Though according to Eckhart Tolle, we need to escape our mind and delve into our inner body to find Consciousness, Presence, Being and enlightenment.
I guess the general notion is that I wish to increase mindfulness in my daily living and to nurture my love of self.
I want to carry out healthy behaviours and develop healthy relationships with people.
And all this begins with having good mental health.
Physical Health
I tend to ignore my physical health a lot.
I boil it down to a lack of self-love and my resistance toward my mom’s desire to control my life.
She has had ill health for the last 10 years and is always harping about her being a victim and martyr, and I’ve been overwhelmed by her chasing health fads and her nagging whenever she saw me with junk food or unhealthy snacks.
I thought that after I moved out I would eat “healthy” the way I wanted to, instead of being subjected to her standards of healthiness. But unfortunately I’ve taken my body for granted and haven’t really carried out what I initially thought I would.
Steps I’m going to take:
1. Yoga once a week
…and increase to twice a week if possible. I bought a yoga class package at a discount last year but have yet to use it 🙁
2. Cut down on frozen food consumption
Using the air fryer does cut down on oil but food is still pretty much processed.
3. Increase my intake or greens and fruit
I like smoothies and have always wanted to try making my own.
4. Work on my sleep hygiene
I need to tune back my sleep/wake hours to healthy standards and match Circadian Rhythms as much as possible. (I do hope my sleep problems aren’t some sort of disorder though.)
Spiritual Health
In Codependents Anonymous we learn we all have a Higher Power of our own understanding and we need to lean on our Higher Power.
At the moment, due to what I’ve learnt (and agreed) from Deepak Chopra, Paulo Coelho, the Law of Attraction, and Eckhart Tolle, I have assigned the Universe at large as my Higher Power.
The idea of the Universe isn’t one that is big and vast and impersonal.
We live in the Universe but ultimately there is a Universe in all of us.
(source)
I want to endeavour to be one with the Universe inside me.
So in fact, my Higher Power is not outside of myself, it is actually (within) myself, but not in a self-centered kind of way.
I’m already taking baby steps to acquaint with my inner Higher Power by being aware of and listening to my gut.
This gut instinct has many names… Intuition, sixth sense, an inner quiet voice, etc…
If you’re Christian, you may refer to this “gut feel” as the Holy Spirit.
Progressively, I seek the peace in being ONE with my inner Higher Power.
Looking forward in 2017
Related: 2016 look back: 7 ways I’ve grown as a person
I find that having my resolutions written down makes it somewhat permanent, and I can refer to the list from time to time.
It also makes me feel more accountable, and I feel more committed to stick to them and make things work.
Have you made your new year’s resolutions or do you not believe in making them? If you’ve made some, are you on track or have they fallen on the wayside?
Do you have any feedback on my resolutions? Would love to know what your new year resolutions are, and how you are doing with them too 🙂
I definitely need to work on the sleep part. I usually get 4-5 hours a night. I went to bed at 8 pm last night and woke up at 5:30 am. I needed that.
These are great resolutions! I need to start taking better care of my body as well – in the sense of pushing it to be stronger. I was sick and on bedrest most of 2016 so I find I get scared to push myself to get back into the gym again. I’m worried I’ll overdo it. But if I follow your resolutions and take things slow – caring for my body while making it stronger – I think I can get back into the swing of things. As a performer, I’ve found it very healthy to feel all of my emotions. I’m so glad to see you are going to do that as well. It is helpful to feel an emotion and then try to understand why I’m feeling it and then how to move on from it. 🙂 xoxo Lauren | Glitter & Grandeur
What a great list! Self care is so important!
I love this post. Thank you so much for sharing it, I love seeing other people’s goals- it’s always so inspiring!
This is something that I need to remind myself of – that my feelings are always valid no matter what they are!
I never knew this at all pre-recovery. Imagine that! I do have to consciously check in with myself though – I don’t always keep track of how I feel. Knowing that ALL my feelings are valid is truly empowering and liberating… I hope everyone will get to know this too 🙂
I love your list. I am trying my hardest to try and stay on track.
It’s so easy to forget to take care of ourselves when life gets busy. These are wonderful resolutions, and will make such a difference in how you feel each day!
Thanks Emily… Yes, we can tend to neglect ourselves when we get “preoccupied with life”. Hope you have a good 2017 🙂
Wow, go you! This sounds like a lot of what I’m going through st the moment. I also want to focus on having healthy, emotional relationships, and also work on my physical health (especially since I think I have a food intolerance after having my son). Although I agree the air fryer is so much easier sometimes…
Good luck with your journey this year, it sounds like you’ve made some big – and awesome – goals!
Thank you, Fi! Take care of that food intolerance, sounds like your body has developed change after labour.
Glad to have a partner in Healthy living this year! May we learn to live healthier in all areas of our life 🙂