What’s healthy? As I have grown older, my thoughts have come to this place several times. I will admit, when I was younger in my greater days, I was skinny. I didn’t have to think about health or weight. Many of my friends had to. Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not because I didn’t eat, but it was because my dad’s side of the family for the most part are smaller. There have some of my elder family members that were overweight, but not obese.
In my forties, I have gained more weight that I am willing to admit. I have dieted and exercised and nothing has seemed to work. My blood levels don’t indicate anything alarming, although I have hit menopause early. I honestly think that menopause had more to do with stress from my job than anything else. So, I believe stress is causing me to not lose weight as well. Hence, the blog so I can have an outlet.
So, what is healthy? There are some practical ways to stay healthy such as exercise and reduced calorie intake. But I believe mental health actually starts a way to physical health. Think about it, when you are depressed you don’t want to exercise. You don’t want to socialize. Which is not good for the soul. I believe I have been dealing with depression for a couple of years now. The anxiety and depression stems from stress from my job. As a perfectionist who wants to excel in everything I do, I am constantly failing according to the education system. It feels like an ever ending trend that I am afraid is going to cause a larger teacher shortage.
I am trying to get a healthier me, but I don’t always know how to get there. As a Christian believer I know this is also a spiritual issue for those that deal with anxiety and depression. I know what Jesus has done for me and I know what He has brought me out of.
As I am trying to come out of this fog I have been in, I am more aware of the saying “take it one day at a time”. Because it is “one day at a time” that I am living now. I am grateful for this time to be off to get on the right track.
So, I believe being healthy is an all around concept. I used to be healthy in most aspects, hitting my forties has been a challenge both mentally and physically. It’s not so black and white. I pray to get to a place that I am looking forward to getting up and enjoying the day. Hopefully, this will start to change the way I think and start a journey to a healthier me.
Life After Forty! Is there life out there? 