Jill Fratto: remember to listen to yourself and your body

One of the mantras I grew up on was “If you don’t take care of your body, where are you going to live?” Thanks, Dad! As I see more and more people suffering both mentally and physically, it occurs to me that many people are living in survival mode — fighting fatigue and pain to get through the day and do only the things that must be done. When something does come up with our body, it’s easy to talk ourselves out of getting it checked out by a doctor or other health professional. Oftentimes, we take that too far and wait until the problem scares us enough to get it checked. So how do you remedy this and focus on your body, so that you have a place to live a long, quality life? These are my thoughts: 

Pay attention to your body. The body reflects your mental, spiritual, and physical wellbeing. It provides signals and clues to your overall health if you listen. Don’t ignore those little aches and pains. Slow down and respect the signs your body is giving you. 

Always follow your intuition. In two recent situations with people I know, had they not pushed for more tests because they knew something wasn’t right, the outcome would have been very different. We know our bodies. Doctors and healthcare professionals are there to guide and provide expertise, but only we can give them the information they need to look in the right places. Don’t wait for someone else to tell you what is going on with your body. 

Slow down. When we are fighting to survive and packing too much into our day, it is easy to blame ailments on not enough sleep or too much stress. Take the time you need to listen to your body, mind, and soul. What do you need to refill your cup? 

Do something for yourself every day. Take a five to 10-minute walk or meditation, listen to music that lifts you, go to bed 10 minutes earlier, and reflect on the day. Once you start taking five to 10 minutes, you will see the benefits of it and make time for more. 

Love yourself. If you are struggling with anything at all, find the help that you need. Everyone has something that they are dealing with. It’s OK to reach out for help. 

Life can change at any moment for any of us. Making every minute count is more important than just pursuing the absence of death. Our quality of life depends on how we live each day. Those small moments are what our loved ones remember about us and carry on in the end. Relax, breathe deeply, love. You deserve it.