When a hotel or restaurant is really good we give it five stars. Five stars is also an energy rating. It seems to me that the biggest part of wellness is energy. Without proper energy we can't be of any use to ourselves or others.
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I've been thinking about five star days for many years now. Here is my recipe for a five star day. . .- Enough Sleep
- Healthy Eating
- Healthy Drinking
- Exercise
- Devotional Time
Sleep has always been the number one mental health requirement for me. I need 7-8 hours to feel like the world is a positive and loving place to exist. A couple nights in a row of 5-6 hours and I'm heading to the dark side. Friends and family know the first question to ask me. Are you getting enough sleep?
Healthy eating is important to me. It means mostly eating fruits and vegetables. I eat a lot of oatmeal and yogurt. I also eat meat and dairy but not a crazy amount. If I eat too much one day then I don't have any sugar or chip food the next. It's a checks and balance system. It works for me. Sometimes I go sugar free for a week or two. On a day with only five hours sleep I'm more tempted to sugar my way through the day. The five stars work together.
Healthy drinking has two parts. What to drink and what not to drink. What to drink? Celery juice. I've been drinking celery juice and carrot juice for over a year now. I'm committed to juicing every day. I also drink a vitamin concoction every morning. I try to do most of my liquids in the morning so I don't risk a kidney attack at night. I have a goofy kidney that backs up and mimics a kidney stone in the middle of the night if I drink too many fluids. So, I try not to drink too many fluids, especially after dinner. What not to drink? Too much coffee and wine. I drink half-caffeine coffee and red wine, just not too much of either as. . . both will mess with my precious sleep.
Exercise is critical. I go to a yoga studio and do fitness yoga or a barre class twice a week. I turn my will power over to the teacher and just do what she says for sixty minutes. At home with a video I would pitter out after 20 minutes or when the phone rang or deadlines loom. I would also like to walk more, it's hard in Minnesota starting about now. In the summer I garden. I should do more exercise but I'm trying to balance other things I want and need to do with my time. At least I try not to go backwards in strength and flexibility. Cardio is probably my weakest point. I would like to do something everyday but the reality is I'm getting really good exercise a couple days a week. I'd like to find a better winter solution.
Devotional time is in the morning. I wake up at 5:30, get my contacts in my eyes and brush my teeth. I make and drink all my morning liquids, light a candle and sit down at the kitchen table. It's dark outside. Four cats are circling. No people are up. I write in my journal and read something spiritual. It could be the Bible or something else. I'm a Christian but I gather insight from lots of different faith traditions. I try to meditate but mostly fail at that. At 6:15 I head up to practice with Mary. I have to say, I really need the time alone to center myself before jumping into family and studio life for the day. I'm not a morning person. This is a trade off. It's that important to me. It's the calm before the storm.
Not every day is a five star day. I am committed to trying to take care of myself the best I can. I know other people have other wellness priorities. These five stars are where mine landed over the years. The sixth star would be connecting with family and friends every day. Introverts get lonely too. But, six stars doesn't have the same ring to it.
Again, not every day is a five star day. I'm not there yet. I hope in some way this helps you reflect on what makes you feel healthy and well. We take care of ourselves so we can serve others. The more you serve the more you need to take care of yourself. Please secure your own oxygen mask along with me. Be responsible for your energy. Have your own five stars days as often as you can.
Love,
Sara
P.S. Please stay tuned for the rest of my aspirations.
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