Campy just had his yearly "senior" check-up yesterday. I'm proud to say that Campy is in great health. He is a strong 11 lbs, 4 ounces and even at the age of eleven, he still plays like he is a puppy. He is full of endless energy and still has a very strong personality. While he loves to sleep (a lot), he won't pass up the opportunity to take a long walk (or hike), go on a road trip or sprint in the backyard.
As a furry parent, Campy's health is really important to me. I want to make sure that I do everything possible to give him the best life possible. Whether you are a furry parent, human parent or caregiver, there's a good chance that you are use to taking care of everyone......but you may often neglect yourself.
If you are tired of being tired, listen up. Life is short and you need to take the time to take care of yourself.
Most people have no idea how good their body is suppose to feel. Far too many people "put up" with health issues, pains, aches, and uncomfortable bodily functions, only to consider these things as the norm. For athletes, many believe that feeling chronically exhausted, run down and sore is an acceptable state of being. For those who aren't taking action and potentially adding training stress on top of a potentially significant underlying health issue, I'm here to say that you have no idea what it's like to be in good health.
When you are in good health, you should not need a copious amount of caffeine to survive the day. Your mind should not be foggy, you shouldn't feel dizzy or lightheaded and you shouldn't find yourself needing to nap periodically throughout the day. Anti-inflammatories should not be consumed like candy. You should be able to easily fall asleep and stay asleep. Your appetite to flow from feeling slightly hungry to comfortably satisfied - never feeling starved or too full. It's normal for your energy to ebb and flow, but without extreme dips and dives throughout the day.
When you are in good health, you make the effort for health-promoting lifestyle, nutrition and sleep practices. Achieving a healthy weight may require a little bit of extra effort but maintaining a healthy weight should be supported by the healthy lifestyle choices that you acquired during your weight change journey. One should never feel "too busy" to make the time to take care of your health. It shouldn't feel like a chore to take care of your health.
When you are in good health, you feel comfortable in your skin and don't bash your body or the way that you look. You thank your body for what it allows you to do.
When you are in good health, you recognize that your mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you have extreme changes in your emotions, you want to withdrawal from society, activities you once enjoyed are no longer fun, you engage in unhealthy behaviors, you use alcohol or drugs to cope with uncomfortable feelings, you have lost a desire for your own health (and self-care), you feel overwhelmed in life or a sense of hopelessness, reach out for help. This is not how you have to live. Help is available.
To get in good health, you have to take action. Get blood work. Get regular check-ups. Consult with a specialist when you have a concern about your health. Talk to someone when you don't feel right - mentally, physically and emotionally. Don't make healthy eating complicated, stressful, confusing or overwhelming. Don't skimp on sleep. Manage your stress. Commit to consistent restful sleep. Exercise daily. If you are an athlete, make sure you are training in a way so that exercise has a purpose and focus. Get rid of energy suckers in your life, especially on social media. If someone doesn't make you feel good about yourself, don't allow that person in your "network."