Health & Wellness: “You Can’t Pour from an Empty Cup”

Has anyone experienced information overload? It’s easy to get overwhelmed by information throughout the day and night especially as the year is ending and holidays are approaching. One way to keep yourself from experiencing information overload is by taking regular vacations, even if it’s just a “staycation.” You should manage information in smaller, bite-sized nuggets. Remove yourself from the office for lunch breaks or take mental health breaks. Take a sabbatical from social media and set a time during the day when you check email/text messages. In short, manage your technology just as you manage other aspects of your day and your health.

I thought that it might be important to write about taking care of ourselves.

Technology commands our attention daily and as we approach the holiday season, the topic is so important and literally could mean the difference between life and death. Health and Wellness also determines our quality of life. It doesn’t matter whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder, freelancing, a business owner, or a budding entrepreneur we must be intentional on our health and wellness.

To take care of others, we must first take care of ourselves. As parents, mentors, teachers and sponsors we are constantly doing for others in the name of service. To be successful at this, you must first make sure that you are ok, meaning you have all of the resources necessary to take care of self. Many of us work tirelessly to become however we define success, build generational wealth, and try to give back to make a difference in the world. But, if you don’t have good health, then you won’t be able to fully enjoy the fruits of your labor. We must be intentional about protecting our health and quality of life.

One of the first instructions that you receive after boarding an airplane is to put on your own oxygen mask in case of emergency, even if you’re seated next to your 5-year-old child. When I first heard that, I thought certainly they must be joking. Naturally, my instinct would be to make sure that my children and spouse have their oxygen masks secured before I attended to mine. The flight attendant proceeded to explain that if I didn’t secure my oxygen mask first, then I wouldn’t be in the position to assist others.

Whoever coined the term, “health is wealth,” certainly knew what they were talking about. As entrepreneurs, parents, business owners, students, part- and full- time workers, we don’t spend enough time caring for self and working on our physical and emotional well being.

At a recent visit to my massage therapist, she asked how much water I drink daily. I typically consume five glasses or bottles of water per day (approximately 80 ounces). The therapist suggested that my intake wasn’t nearly enough and that it should be approximately a gallon of water daily. Water takes up more than 50% of our body weight and supplies the brain, blood, heart, bones, lungs, muscles, liver, kidneys and skin. A good indicator for water intake is to take your weight and divide it by two, so I should be drinking approximately 125 fluid ounces of water which is nearly a gallon (128 fluid ounces). It should also be said that drinking water is not the only way to get your necessary intake. Fruits and vegetables such as cucumbers, celery, watermelon, strawberries, oranges and melons are great sources of water. There are also mobile applications and programs that can help you monitor intake and set daily goals.

The moral of the story is that in order to help others, you must first take care of yourself. Taking care of yourself is not a selfish act, but a necessary one. So, as we prepare to celebrate this joyous holiday season, I challenge you to make a genuine commitment to Health and Wellness. It might not be your first choice, but the investment will pay dividends and your body will be forever grateful.

Email us your Health & Wellness byte that you use on your journey.

Happy Holidays!

This article is for information purposes only and not intended to be taken as medical advice. Please contact your physician or health care provider to discuss your particular needs.