8.27.24

Health is wealth

The BusyB - 8.27.24 🐝 

Welcome to your weekly serving of inspiration, focusing on movement, nourishment, and intention. Let's dive in!

Becks’ Brief 💌

It's that time of the week again where we pause, reflect, and prepare for the week ahead. I'm excited to have you here with me in our shared journey of wellness, empowerment, and balance!

You’ve likely heard the phrase “health is wealth” before. But what does it really mean beyond being a catchy, rhyming expression? Here’s my take on it…

You could have all the money in the world, but if you don’t have your health, what are you really living for? Let me share this crazy stat I recently came across… BTW, an NCD is a disease that is is not transmissible directly from one person to another (think, autoimmune diseases, strokes, heart diseases, cancers, diabetes, etc.).

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) kill 41 million people each year, equivalent to 74% of all deaths globally. Each year, more than 15 million people die from a NCD between the ages of 30 and 69 years.

These numbers are alarming. We must do better, and we can do better. To me, "health is wealth" means living a full and vibrant life, minimizing the risk of disease as much as possible to extend our lives. How do we achieve that? By taking care of ourselves and prioritizing our health above all else.

I know that this can be challenging, especially if you’re a parent of young children, caring for aging parents, or managing a demanding job (or multiple 😅). But if you don’t have your health, how can you be fully effective in the areas of your life that need you most?

When you focus on your health, you will naturally bring more energy to everything else you do. You’ll feel richer than anyone else in the room because good health leads to longevity, and a long, vibrant life is far more valuable than anything money can buy.

Today, we’ll explore some simple strategies to help you prioritize your health every day, reminding you that your health is the most important thing in your life because it impacts every other aspect of it.

The Bulletin 📝

For busy working professionals, prioritizing your health can often seem daunting and just adds more tasks to your to-do list, but incorporating a few simple strategies into your daily routine can truly make a big difference. Let’s dive in👇🏻.

🚶🏻‍♀️ Start Your Day with Movement:

  • Whether it’s a morning walk or a gym class, move your body first thing in the AM, and even if it’s for 5 minutes - no excuses!

  • This can help wake up your body, boost your energy levels, and set a positive tone for the day

🥑 Intentional Eating:

  • Being intentional with what you put in your body goes a long way - eat as if your life depends on it (a bit dramatic… but it does)

  • You don’t need a crazy diet, and you don’t need to reinvent the wheel - find out what other people are doing to intentionally feed their bodies

🤸🏻‍♀️ Break Up Your Day with Movement:

  • It isn’t enough to just move your body once throughout the day - and no, you don’t need to complete two-a-days to accomplish this goal

  • Look into “micro-workouts” or “exercise snacks” if you can’t fit in a full workout every single day

😴 Prioritze Sleep:

  • Often ignored or undermined, sleep is one of the most critical elements and bio-markers of our health

  • Adults require at least 7 hours of sleep per night - figure out what you can cut out of your life to ensure you’re getting close to this each night

😖 Manage Stress:

  • The mind-body connection is real - stress often shows up in our bodies in many ways and can impact all areas of life

  • Learn how to manage stress - whether that is through movement, therapy, a hobby, social connection, etc.

Implementing these strategies doesn’t require drastic changes to your routine but can significantly impact your overall health and well-being, even in the midst of a busy life. Remember, without your health, what does anything else really matter?

Nourish & Move 🤸🏻‍♀️

🌏 If you have a Netflix account, there's a good chance you've come across the “Blue Zones” documentary. Fortunately, someone has already done the research on Blue Zones and the diets of centenarians (people that live to 100+) and created a recipe book, so you don’t have to figure it out on your own!

🧘🏻‍♀️ As we age, our range of motion decreases. No matter what stage of life you are in, it’s a good time to start mobility training if you haven’t done so already. Mobility training involves basic movements that we use every day, and as we get older, it’s crucial to maintain our ability to function at a fundamental level.

The BusyB Booster ✨

100 Days to 100 Years Challenge:

  1. Starting today, choose one action you are going to take to prioritize your health. It can be as simple as starting your day off with 5 minutes of stretching or adding a veggie to each meal.

  2. For the next 100 days, implement one more action each day. Stack each of these actions on top of each other, day after day, as much as you can. Don’t forget to write each of these actions down, because once you get too far along, you might forget 1-2 😜!

  3. Once the 100 days are up, pick at least a dozen that you are really committed to sticking to. And congratulate yourself for committing to increasing both your lifespan AND your healthspan.

Use the hashtag #100Daysto100Years on social media to show people what you are doing to commit to your health! 💪🏻

The Real Deal ✔️

Myth: Prioritizing health requires significant time and money, making it inaccessible to people with busy schedules or limited funds.

Busted: In reality, many effective health practices - like regular movement, intentional eating, adequate sleep, and stress management - can be integrated into daily routines without expensive gym memberships, specialized diets, or large time commitments. The key to is consistency and making small, sustainable changes that fit into your lifestyle!

Uplift 💡

"It is health that is real wealth and not pieces of gold and silver."

- Mahatma Gandhi

Spread the Love 🫶🏻

Loved what you read today? Your friends and colleagues might too! Share this newsletter with anyone who could use a little boost of motivation in their busy lives. 👉🏻 Share this link: https://thebusyb.beehiiv.com/subscribe 

Disclaimer: The content in this newsletter is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is based on my expertise as a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) and Certified Nutrition Coach (CNC) with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM). It is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice. I am not a medical professional. Before making any changes to your diet, exercise routine, or lifestyle, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional to ensure these changes are safe and suitable for your specific health needs and conditions.