Well-being Wednesday

It's Wednesday, the middle of the working week and most of us are right in the thrust of full steam ahead mode.

Have you had a break at all today? Is your coffee cup still sitting abandoned in the coffeemaker after that phone call, or meeting you rushed into?

When did you last stop to have a drink and something to eat? Or did you have another working lunch at your desk?

Yeah, I've been there. Those working lunches and meetings that absolutely had to happen. You sigh and agree to forego yet another break for the sake of X to make the bosses happy.

The deadlines keep coming and with those your energy levels are sucked into a black hole. I've seen it with my friends who work in the city. I used to be like them working for a Global publisher.

I've started to wonder if it's worth our health to go without breaks and continue because the work is coming in faster than you can clear it away.

Most people are not very good at taking breaks or delegate work. You feel guilty about asking someone else do the job, you can do it quicker.

I count myself in this category. Heck, when I'm in school, I don't sit down at all. I'm in full power until I'm not. I like being busy and, on the go, but eventually it catches up with you.

One of my friends has a big birthday today, and her entering another decade got me thinking.

Do we care about our bodies and mental health during the working week?

I'm busy juggling my day job in school, with my writing and researching for my next books at night. Add the kids in the mix who need my help with homework, supervise play and drive places all over the state.

Life is busy. Everyone is busy.

When do we stop and think? When do we process our day and re-energize?

I know I'm not the only one who juggles career and family because all my friends and colleagues are juggling their lives too.

Why don't we stop? Why don't we take better care of our bodies?

When we take care of our physical and mental wellbeing, we perform the best. Yet, we keep pushing boundaries and work longer hours.

What's the cost?

Too much I say because we miss out on 100% of life due to deadlines and overtime.

If we spent a small amount of time every single day on ourselves, relaxing and just be, the difference would be huge.

That headache you've been nursing since Monday - gone.

That tension in your shoulders from hunching over your keyboard - disappears.

The strain you feel in your eyes after reading too many reports and files - not as bad.

Life happens whether we choose to embrace it or not.

I know that not everyone has a choice but to earn that paycheck. What I'm saying is that taking a break should be right for everyone.

Every Decade in Life Comes with Different Priorities

When I was younger (before kids) in my twenties, I was super fit and healthy. My focus was all on myself.

My friends and I worked or studied during the day, and went to the gym, or swimming almost every day. Then we hit the bars, or the beach parties at night.

I was single and didn't have anyone to worry about other than myself. It was fun while it lasted, and I'm glad I've had that time in my life. A time of self-discovery and feeling free.

What were your twenties like?

For me it was a time of discovery of my identity. I was brought up in an abusive home filled with trauma. I had no idea what normal life was like, and a lot to catch up on that my friends had been doing forever. One big thing for me was trusting people for the first time.

I'm grateful to all my friends who showed me what life was like.

Life Changes with Age

As you grow older, you have different priorities. Often - life isn't just about you anymore. Your career takes off. You might meet someone special and settle down. You might start a family. You might get married first, or not. What you do is up to you.

What are your thirties like? What are your priorities right now?

I love my life right now and wouldn't change anything for the world.

Life changes our priorities throughout the years and as we grow older our bodies need more rest to recover. We become more selective with our time, and we learn to delegate stuff to colleagues.

We live smarter and focus our energy on what matters.

Are you taking care of your body?

Are you giving yourself enough time away from work to spend quality time with family and friends?

I say to my kids that every day matters just as much as the weekend. I tell them that life is important all the time and that goes for personal health and wellbeing too.

Are you drinking enough water?

Do you have a social life, or do you keep canceling on your friends?

What are your priorities right now?

Are you happy?

Your life is important no matter what day it is.

You are important all the time.

Grab life every single day and live your life with purpose and honesty. Live not just for yourself, but for those around you too. Value every day that you have and remember that every sunrise brings a wealth of endless opportunities.

Not everyone has that choice.

My name is Lizzy. I'm a trauma survivor, a wife, a mom, a teacher, and an author.

If you like reading my posts, then please follow me.

For more about me: www.elizabethwoodsauthor.com

Support Elizabeth Woods (Author Querying)

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Mental Health Matters

https://medium.com/illumination/mental-health-matters-0d145057cf5d

What Do You Overcome Every Day?

https://medium.com/illumination/what-do-you-overcome-every-day-25fd8f06d362

What is Your Inspiration?

https://medium.com/activated-thinker/what-is-your-inspiration-14bb2fdc57db

How Do You Manage Your Stress Levels?

https://medium.com/activated-thinker/how-do-you-manage-your-stress-477b7a66153d