What is Essential?

Now, more than ever, our health condition either has us in a vulnerable position or a strong one.

I’m currently sitting in the hospital waiting room eagerly waiting for my husband Dana to get out of surgery.  He was in a bicycle accident and needs some hardware installed to put him back together.  I’m thankful he’s being well taken care of.  I’m thankful for modern medicine.  I’m thankful for all the hospital workers and all the energy workers.  I’m also deeply thankful he is in great shape – vibrant health if I might be so bold. But as I sit here looking around, I see so much suffering.  Needless. It just doesn’t have to be like this.

In this room, we all have one thing in common:  We are all wearing masks. I’m in a hot spot of ‘essential workers.’  I’ve never considered hospitals unessential – have you?   Yet, as businesses close and flounder, as people try to hold their lifestyle and connections together, the debate rages on during this COVID health crisis:  Who and What is essential? Where you live, who is in leadership, and how hot a zone you are in with COVID-19 stats all matter in this decision.  But, as we’ve seen in the news, it’s a debate.

There are a lot of people looking at their decisions around food and lifestyle and wondering what that means for their vulnerability or resilience. Sobering thought.

In my opinion, there are some things that are not debatable when it comes to our health.  In the context of this post, I am looking at the ‘adjective meaning:’ absolutely necessary; extremely important.  

As an exercise, to keep my mind busy as I wait, you’ll see below that I’ve taken several similar words that also mean essential and created some context around our Nourish Five Foundations of Health. It’s about becoming aware of things we can do today to stay out of the current crisis.

What is Essential to our Health?

• It is crucial to prioritize health.
• Moving my body is necessary to stay strong.
• Eating real food is one key to nourishment.
• A restful night’s sleep is vital to resilience.
• Nurturing relationships is required to foster positive connections.
• My choices today are critical to my health in the future.
• Taking care of ourselves and each other is a matter of life-and-death.
• It is imperative that I move my body every day.
• I can choose health as a high-priority in my family’s life.
• Deep breathing is significant for my stress reduction and presence.
• What is the most important thing I need to do for myself today? ___________________

How do these statements land for you?

If they make you squirm because you aren’t doing them – that’s ok. It’s not about shaming yourself (or each other) into doing something different.  I write this with an urgency and a whole lot of loving care for each human here, for their families… and for you.  I don’t look in judgment.  I look with my heart and see healing.

Experiment

Make a list of what is essential in YOUR life that nourishes you and do more of that. Simplify it.  We tend to overcomplicate things.  We tend to get bogged down in habits and to-do lists that aren’t essential. We also tend to look for direction outside of ourselves.  And sometimes that’s helpful to get started – that’s why Debbie and I are here as health coaches. Our job is to help you to tap into your innate wisdom – and stay out of the hospital.

PS.  If you are a cyclist, watch out for the potholes!