Thank you for reading my article, and it’s great that you’re interested in holistic wellness.
I’ve had things changed dramatically in my health. Although I have fully recovered from my knee replacement, due to stress at my workplace, I became thoroughly burnt out. I have been out of sorts, constantly feeling weak and tired with losing my appetite, and I lost a lot of weight.
Just Getting Old?
I shared with friends how I was feeling. My friends explained that now I am 68, I should expect aches and pains and things to go wrong with my body.
When a close friend mentioned my getting old, it was then that I decided I didn’t want to live the rest of my life feeling burnt out.
I have always enjoyed holistic health, which is about good eating, a good mindset, exercising regularly, and faith.
My faith has kept me going as well because I believe that God strengthens me each day.
I got pretty angry when even my mind told me, ‘You’re getting old,’ and said, “No, I’m not going to be living like this anymore; I’ve had enough! It was then that I knew I needed to change my mindset. Importantly, I prayed, and I asked God to help me gather ideas of what to do.
My Mind Workout
If I wanted to change my mindset, I must first change what I put in there.
I got the idea to consistently listen to many audiobooks on YouTube, which are free. These books helped me change my mindset from a negative to a positive one.
In my studied topics, I learned how thoughts affect us profoundly and how having a healthy mindset makes for a healthy body.
I soaked up these audiobooks for several months and then decided to put them into practice.
My Body Workout
Before I got started, I had to consider my fitness levels and any pre-existing health conditions. It’s always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional before starting a new exercise program. That said, here’s a general workout routine That I do that focuses on strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health:
Warm-up:
- March in Place (5 minutes): Start with a light march to increase heart rate and warm up the muscles.
- Shoulder Rolls (2 minutes): Roll your shoulders forward and backwards to loosen up the upper body.
- Arm Circles (2 minutes): Gently rotate your arms in small circles, forward and backwards.
Strength Training:
Perform 1-2 sets of 10-15 repetitions for each exercise. Use light weights or resistance bands, adjusting intensity based on individual capabilities.
- Bodyweight Squats:
- Stand with feet hip-width apart.
- Slowly lower your body as if sitting back on a chair.
- Keep your chest up and back straight.
- Return to the starting position.
- Wall Push-Ups:
- Stand about two feet away from a wall.
- Place your hands on the wall at shoulder height.
- Lean in and then push away from the wall.
- Chair Dips:
- Sit on the edge of a sturdy chair with your hands beside your hips.
- Slide your bottom off the chair and lower your body toward the ground.
- Push back up to the starting position.
- Leg Raises:
- Sit tall in a chair with feet flat on the floor.
- Lift one leg straight out in front, hold briefly, and lower it back down.
- Repeat on the other leg.
Cardiovascular Exercise:
Choose activities that are low-impact and enjoyable.
- Walking (15-30 minutes):
- Brisk walking is an excellent, low-impact cardiovascular exercise.
- Start with a duration that feels comfortable and gradually increase over time.
- Swimming or Water Aerobics (if available):
- Water exercises are gentle on the joints and provide resistance for strength training.
Flexibility and Balance:
- Seated Toe Touches (5 minutes):
- Sit on a chair with feet flat on the floor.
- Reach down towards your toes, keeping the back straight.
- Chair Yoga:
- Incorporate gentle yoga poses that can be done with the support of a chair.
Cool Down:
- Deep Breathing (5 minutes):
- Sit comfortably and take slow, deep breaths to help relax the body.
- Neck and Shoulder Stretches (5 minutes):
- Tilt your head from side to side and roll your shoulders to release tension.
Remember to listen to your body, modify exercises as needed, and progress gradually. Regular physical activity, combined with a balanced diet, is vital to maintaining good health.
My Diet Workout
Into the second week of my fitness regime, I could sleep all night. I also researched the nerves and revised from my past experience that our nerves are protected by the myelin sheath. The sheath is fed with vitamin B12. So, I wondered whether I was not getting enough vitamin B12, indeed, the other Bs’ to feed my nerves, so I reviewed my diet.
I discovered that my vitamin B12 reserves were low, and one of the symptoms of vitamin B12 deficiency is weakness and tingling in my arms and fingers and pains in my legs and hips, which is precisely what I have had.
I would get leg muscle cramps, so I looked up the effects of magnesium and potassium on the body. A lack of these essential minerals results in muscle cramps.
Do Something Positive
So, I purchased vitamin B12 drops and magnesium and potassium liquid because the liquid is more readily absorbed into the intestines.
Keep On, Keeping On!
After adjusting my mindset and changing my health and fitness regime, I’m feeling much better. It is still a struggle, but as I keep my mindset and affirmations positive, I will gain the strength of mind and body.
Set Your Health Goals
I want good health, so I must do something to achieve that goal. If I do nothing, I will achieve nothing. I have set my goals because I need to be healthy to continue to help and serve others in various ways. And I encourage you to do so as well.
Your Thoughts have Power.
And this is where mindfulness comes in as well. However, we can only have a mindfulness lifestyle if we change our mindset. Our thoughts are powerful things, and the Bible tells us that we will become what we believe. Indeed, neuroscientists have discovered this truth in more recent years. And this is why having a mindfulness lifestyle is essential for holistic well-being. The reality is that God has given us the responsibility of managing our thoughts. Read Proverbs 23:7.
I am advocating a lifestyle of holistic living, meaning your attention is on your mind, body and spirit. It means giving your full attention to what is before you and God within you.
Practice mindfulness because it enables you to control your thoughts, giving you happiness and appreciation of what you’re doing right then and right now. Time goes quickly- you will never have this day again, so enjoy and be mindful of it.
Focus is the Key
The opposite of mindfulness is hurrying, constantly pushing to get to the next thing to be done and missing the joy of what you are doing now. The opposite of mindfulness is failing to focus on and appreciate what is right in front of you.
Create a Gratitude Attitude
And so, when I run or do my work workout in my mini gym in my home, I am mindful of that moment. I concentrate on my body, how it feels and how I want it to feel, and visualise my body being strong and well again. Then, I give thanks for my surroundings and joy in it all.
Share What You Know
There is so much more that I want to share with you on mindfulness. That’s why I am working on a new book. My goals are to bring hope, joy and love to you by encouraging you to live a better lifestyle for your own happiness and well-being.
And remember that If you are unhappy with what you have, you can change it by changing your mindset.
Thank you for reading to the end. For more articles, visit Your Wellness Matters at www.paularoseparish.com. And if this article has helped you in a small way, please like it and comment.
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I have worked internationally with over 40 years of experience, having a Bachelor of Pastoral Counselling and Theology and a Master of Arts in Counselling & Professional Development. BACP Life Coaching Certificate. I currently work as a Christian educator, blogger, author, and grandmother living with my two dogs in Wales, UK.?
If you wish to connect with me, please do so at paularoseparish@gmail.com?
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?Nothing Good about Grief:
?Psalm 23 Unwrapped: Hope in Difficult Times.
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