When Should We Stop Our Healthy Behaviors?

I was having a conversation with a client about meditation earlier this week. She had recently meditated for 7 days straight and was really enjoying it. When I asked what she liked about it and what benefits she had seen, she couldn't tell me. This isn't uncommon with meditation.

I have been meditating pretty regularly for at least 3 years now, so I shared a secret with her. 

The benefits I see from meditation are only apparent when I stop. During the times that I am super consistent, it's hard to put my finger on why I keep going back to it. But, when I stop, the clutter in my brain becomes overwhelming, I have a much faster fuse especially towards Coen, less tolerance in general, apathy to doing the things that have me sleeping soundly at night and feeling successful, and in general poorer choices when it comes to my health.

It got me thinking about how we approach our health in general. Often we don't notice how good we feel, until we don't anymore. Our consistent habits that have us firing on all cylinders go by the wayside for many reasons, but our body is able to adapt and allows us to still feel good. Until we don't. This is when you hear of the 'healthy' guy who died out of the blue from a heart attack or a virus that has a 99% survival rate. Or less severe, you throw your back out bending over, or 'sleep wrong' waking up to a neck that won't turn.

So when is the answer to stop our healthy behaviors? When should we stop exercising, stop eating well, stop nourishing our mind, stop chiropractic care? Should this be when we are feeling good? Our health is not a destination to be reached. Behaviors that have us feeling, and most importantly, functioning at our optimum potential should be ongoing for our lifetime.

I'm not talking about perfection, or even striving for perfection in taking care of ourselves. This in and of itself is unhealthy in my view. If, for the majority of the time, we are able to give our body what it needs to flourish, then we will thrive. For some people this will be easier, for others much harder. We are all starting from different expressions of health. But, each day we have the opportunity to make healthy choices for ourselves, regardless of our circumstances.

What are you going to choose today?

Peace, Love and Wellness
Dr. Liz