Looking after Yourself Before the Sh*t Hits the Fan. Protect Your Greatest Asset.

Going through, been through or even heading towards a tough time in your life? You know it’s guaranteed. Your greatest asset will always be YOURSELF. Yes, we often miss this one. Looking after Yourself is key!

When the word asset comes to mind, material possessions parade like a slideshow in your head, rarely do you think or treat yourself in this way.

I always say, “your body is the only thing you arrive in and leave with and when it wears out so do you. So, treat it like the gift it is.”

There is no time for disrespecting your greatest asset.

When you’re on track, you’re in a great state so you make great decisions. You’re balanced, centred, full of energy, optimistic, strong and courageous. Sure, there’ll be times of holy sh*t what will I do now, but you’ll be better equipped to deal with them.

How have you been treating your greatest asset lately?

Have you been feeding it crappy fuel and bunny hopping down the road, getting frustrated by it’s bad performance? Think of this next time you put something in your mouth.

For many, including mwah a health crisis can be a turning point in your life. I know mine was.

I’d neglected my greatest asset for a few years, chanting the mantra “I’m too busy” and now had energy sucking brain fog, all day tiredness, ached all over and suffered from constant headaches and stomach pain. I felt like I couldn’t fight my way out of a paper bag.

I dragged my sorry arse home each day from a stressful management job to eat breakfast cereal because I couldn’t be bothered cooking dinner. I didn’t move because I was too tired. I propped myself up on the couch and numbed myself with TV. What a crappy existence.

Getting off track made me appreciate being on track. Life does that to you.

And it’s why I do what I do. I’ve been there!

Here’s a checklist to ensure you’re looking after yourself:

• Movement – Daily, for a minimum of 20 minutes with a heart rate of 180 minus your age. Mix cardio and strength. Your muscles produce your energy and it helps you sleep better.

• Fuel – Aim for mainly vegetables, meat, fruit, nuts and seeds and you won’t stray too far off track. Vegetarians, make sure you’re having protein at every meal.

• Hydrate – Aim for minimum two litres plus per day of water, this can include herbal teas in winter, if they’re caffeine free (so no green tea or matcha).

• Deep breathing or meditation – Use these to reset your relaxation response daily. Keep it simple, breathe in for 4, hold for 16, out for 8 for 2 minutes each morning. End the day with a 10-minute meditation, shut your eyes, focus on your breathe and relax into it. It’s one thing to learn a skill, another to integrate it into your life.

• Sleep – Honour your circadian rhythm, aim for 10 pm at latest most days. This allows time for your body to repair and clean house.

• Self-care – Fill up the tank daily. It could be as simple as catching a sunset or sitting quietly in the sun to just be for 10 minutes. Set a timer for an hour before bed, switch off all electronic media (phones, TV, iPad, computer), now treat yourself – bath, read, listen to music, meditate, stretch, breathe, journal.

• Regular holidays and breaks – Keep the batteries recharged. It doesn’t have to be expensive, you can act like you’re on holidays. Plan a three day weekend.

These are especially true for people caring for others. “It’s important for people who are supporting someone with anxiety and/or depression to look after themselves, both physically and emotionally.” – Beyond Blue

Is your greatest asset in need of an overhaul, major service or just minor repairs?

Stuck in crappy patterns that don’t serve you and need some guidance out of the forest or perhaps taking the preventative approach to keeping you finely tuned and on track.

And I do love a challenge if you’re feeling like a complete mess. No job too big or too small. Loads of medication or none at all. I meet you where you’re at and take you to where you want to go.

CLICK HERE to book online at my Mornington Peninsula office to do maintenance on your greatest asset.

Time to get it sorted, so you’re looking fabulous for summer.

Julie xxx

Naturopath, Pharmacist, Life Coach (Mt Martha)