After all of last years incredible shenanigans, the realisation that I am fast approaching thirty (sshh don't tell anyone) and beginning to start planning for a family has really made me be aware of taking better care of my entire being. I like to think I am a fairly healthy person. I eat three well balanced meals (my mums a dietitian so I am constantly channeling all that she taught me about food) , don't drink a lot, go to the gym a few times a week, have healthy friendships and marriage but even with all that there is so much more that goes into being healthy.
I've decided that after going through back to back sicknesses in the new year that this year I really want to focus on taking better care of myself. Most of it being very simple common sense things like;
- Eating my five fruit and veg a day (my mum always gets mad when people take vitamins because she says if your eating right there is no need to take synthetic products).
- Drinking enough water throughout the day (which is 2/3 of your body weight).
- Getting at least 7 hours of sleep a night.
- Working out at least 3 times a week.
- Being in the sun for at least 30 mins a day.
But then I decided it needed to be more than the simple things.
I wanted to take better care of my skin so after much research I decide to try Rodan and Fields, which so far I have to say is working amazingly. I don't have acne or anything but I wanted to rejuvenate and balance my skin. A friend of mine happened to be a rep for them and so it was easy peasy and I can really say after two months my skin has really never been better [I even got Carl on board and he started using Dove for Men skincare products and he gets so many complements about looking younger and healthier]. I also decided to stop bleaching my hair as much. I have a naturally dirty blonde color but like most women enhance it making it blonder. So now I am letting it grow out but bumping my root color every six weeks so its not drastic and luckily balayage ombre is in style so I don't look lame.
My next step is my heart and mind. I hate reading, it's just not something I enjoy but really wish I did, I bought Shauna Niequeist new devotional book '
Savor: Living Abundantly Where You Are, As You Are'. It's a whole year of short little devotionals. I didn't get started til recently
(because I hate reading). I have a little me time on fridays at my local starbucks before starting work, so Carl encouraged me to start off there as it's a perfect time to get into it and so far its pretty good,
My husband and I are christians and believe that we have a very real relationship with the Father. So we made it a point to pray together every night, which we have always tried to do but always fell asleep or forgot). Honestly this has really been a game changer for us, it is so easy and sometimes we pray for a long time or sometimes just a few minutes because we are exhausted (we both have fallen asleep whilst the other one was praying, but thats okay). It has strengthened not only our relationship with God but also in our marriage. We have prayed and seen answers to our prayers for not only ourselves but for our family and friends who are in need but as we have struggled through situations it's so comforting to be able to be honest and come to our good God and feel encouraged. It's incredible!
All of this is not easy to keep up as life is never plain sailing but taking it day by day makes it simpler. I am on month two and can honestly I feel so much energetic, calm, healthier, weirdly whole and free.
Keep me accountable and thank you for joining in my journey of 'me' this year.