In our bustling new world, the need to constantly juggle between work, family, and personal commitments has led many of us to inadvertently neglect our health. Remember, our body is our forever home; it's the primary address where our soul resides. Therefore, it is imperative to prioritize health goals in the midst of modern-day hustle-bustle.
Health goals are specific targets aimed at enhancing our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. These objectives can range from maintaining a balanced diet, regular exercise, proper sleep schedule, mental wellness practices, or focusing on a specific health issue like controlling diabetes or losing weight. Your health goals could be as ambitious as climbing Kilimanjaro or as simple as walking up the stairs without getting winded. Their insistence lies not in their loftiness but in their existence.
A funny yet thought-provoking story from my personal life - I used to think I was invincible in my twenties, burning the candle at both ends while feasting on junk foods. However, a routine health check-up at 30 confronted me with high blood-pressure! That tiny hiccup reminded me of the quintessential Michael Pollan quote: "Eat food. Not too much. Mostly plants." And thus embarked my journey of setting health goals.
Health goals act as a beacon of light guiding us on our road to improved health and overall quality of life. When we strive towards achieving these goals, we inherently make healthier choices and foster a positive lifestyle. This, in turn, results in the betterment of our physical, emotional, and mental health.
What's heartwarming is, these changes can often lead to a ripple effect, inspiring others around us to lead healthier lives as well. The smile on my daughter's face while we do a family yoga session every evening is a delightful testament of the same.
With the ever-increasing demand of today's fast-paced world, achieving health goals can seem a bit daunting. Between fulfilling professional obligations, taking care of family, and maintaining social relationships, incorporating health goals can feel like walking an extra hundred miles. But, let me share a little secret - it's not!
I discovered it didn't require additional hours in a day to accommodate healthier behaviors. Rather, it was all about making smart choices. Choosing stairs instead of elevators, parking a bit farther from the stores or offices for that extra walk, savoring homemade meals over takeouts, and my personal favorite - dancing while doing house chores! It was challenging initially, but then the 'health-first' lifestyle became a second nature.
Setting health goals is not a Herculean task! Here are some tips that have personally helped me and can be useful for you as well:
The journey of health goals is flexible and forgiving. It's your journey, and it's okay to go at your own pace. Always remember, the only competition you have is with your past self.
Achievement of health goals doesn't mean hitting the final note of this symphony called health. Instead, it is an ongoing journey. Health is a constant endeavor that keeps on evolving as our lives change. The finish line of one health goal often becomes the starting point of another. Just like a relay race, the secret is to keep on passing the baton to our better selves!
We often tend to place our health on the backburner while we chase the 'busyness' of the world. By setting and accomplishing health goals, we ensure we are taking out time for the most important investment - our health. It's never too late or too early to work towards being the healthiest you. So, folks, grab that pen and paper or your favorite digital note-taking app and start setting your health goals. Happy goal setting to all!
Written by Madeline Sterling
View all posts by: Madeline Sterling