Small Steps Lead to Big Distances
Often times we max ourselves out on our gas tank without taking the time needed to refuel. We allow our careers and others to continue pushing us to the point of exhaustion or even to the point where we become sick. What do you do when you need energy so that you are able to continue forward?
I’m just as guilty as the next person to grab an energy drink when I need to “push through" or to “get over the hump”. Is it actually healthy? I’d venture to say that from time to time, it’s acceptable, but if I were to constantly rely on this method, my body would eventually catch up to me.
Last night I crashed HARD at 9pm. Being one that normally does not watch TV, I tried to watch a new show / series only to become tired and needing to go to bed. So I did. I try to get to bed around 9-9:30 most nights, but last night by body pulled me to my bed for an exhausted sleep. I then woke up this morning, feeling refreshed and ready to tackle today’s long run. Yet, how many of you are able to do this for yourself?
We have careers and others constantly demanding “deadlines” and “set hours” for us to work and adhere to their requests and demands. There are deadlines needed to be met and overtime needed to be worked. These things cause us to push aside things for ourselves such as working out or just taking a few minutes of each day to do something for ourselves. Our bodies quickly become drained of the energy we normally have and before we know it, our health isn’t where it used to be. We may search and go for quick fix alternatives, but how long will that alternative last? What happens once it wears off? You are back to the same state of exhaustion as before you became submissive to the alternative and desire to have it again, knowing that eventually the effects will wear off.
What if you began taking the initiative of controlling your life and actions? Begin taking small steps by turning off your phone or tv earlier each night to begin the transition to an earlier bedtime. When you get a break at work, take a walk even if it is only for a few minutes. Make sure you are hydrating and drinking water as well as eating what you need to eat each day. Set aside time each day for YOU doing what you love whether it is reading, crafting, playing a certain game, working out, running…anything that is something that you love to do that someone isn’t making you do. And lastly, try to work up to one day each week for YOU. No work, no rushing around, no staying up late. Just you, taking the day to relax and doing things for yourself that you enjoy while re-charging your body.
Perhaps once you begin taking small steps, you will be able to tell a huge difference in your life and happiness without relying on an outside source for the short-term results. It’s easy to become caught up in the moment and going after any promised quick fix, but if you focus on where you are now and what you need to get to do for the longevity, you will begin to transition to where you need to be and what you need to do to get there. If you begin taking the small steps now, then within time you will be able to go the distance. Your health and well-being is long term and should be treated as that. We need to learn to refuel ourselves so that we can keep going our distance.
