- Nov 26, 2024
Redefining Wealth: Why Health Deserves to Be Your True Priority
My Health Journey
I've always been interested in health, but my actions were sporadic throughout life. My journey began with my high school cross-country coach, Kristen Frost, who sparked my lifelong love of running. That early inspiration laid the foundation for a deeper connection with health. At 20, I became vegetarian, and from there, my health habits have evolved—sometimes consistent, sometimes not. It wasn’t until later that I realized wellness wasn’t just a task to check off; it was the foundation of every joy, success, and meaningful relationship in my life.
At first, I took small steps. A few runs became a weekly ritual, and water bottles quietly appeared on my desk as a subtle commitment. Gradually, I wasn’t just trying to be healthy; I was living it. Stress felt less overwhelming, my focus improved, and even a brisk walk on a busy day felt like a win. Health wasn’t just something I considered; it became a foundation. From small moments of quiet reflection to deliberate habits like gym sessions, wellness is about showing up for yourself every day in simple yet meaningful ways. This shift transformed everything—it changed my relationships, creativity, and how I approach work. Wellness became non-negotiable, and the results have been life-changing. The real question isn’t whether health fits into life; it’s how deeply it can shape every moment.
The New Daily Ritual: Treating Health as an Essential Act
For years, I treated my health as an afterthought, something to address when I “had time.” It was on the same list as weekend errands or folding laundry—important but never urgent. That approach worked until it didn’t. One day, my body made it clear that health wasn’t optional, and I could no longer pretend otherwise. That was when I reframed health as essential, not extra. The turning point came when I realized wellness deserved the same priority as brushing my teeth or preparing a meal. No one questions the importance of those daily tasks because they’re automatic. So why not treat health the same way?
This shift changed everything. I stopped debating whether I had time to move my body or drink water. These became small but sacred rituals that anchored my day. Stretching in the morning became a gift, not a chore. Refilling my water bottle became a promise to myself, not an afterthought. Now, these habits are part of my daily routine, as essential as getting dressed or going to work. When wellness becomes a ritual instead of a decision, it transforms your energy, focus, and outlook. The best part? These acts don’t have to be grand or time-consuming. They just need to matter enough to become non-negotiable.
The Habits That Anchor Our Days
Health isn’t about overhauling your entire lifestyle overnight. It’s about the small, consistent habits that quietly shape our days and, over time, transform our lives. These are the practices that have become my anchors and the moments that ground me, energize me, and remind me that wellness is within reach every single day.
Mindful Eating as a Form of Gratitude: I used to rush through meals without noticing what was on my plate. Now, every meal is a moment of gratitude, a way to thank my body for all it does. Mindful eating isn’t about rules or restrictions; it’s about being present. When I eat, I take time to notice the colors, flavors, and textures. Slowing down makes each bite more intentional and even more enjoyable. It’s less about what I can’t eat and more about celebrating everything I get to enjoy.
Walking as a Ritual of Clarity: Walking has a magic of its own. It’s more than exercise—it clears the mental clutter of the day. Some of my best ideas come while walking, not staring at a screen. A quick stroll around the block works wonders, but it doesn’t need to be structured. Sometimes, it’s just about stepping outside, breathing deeply, and letting my mind wander. These moments of clarity feel like a moving meditation that recenters me.
Exercise as Freedom: Exercise is no longer about calories or weight. It’s about joy and finding movement that makes me feel alive. Some days, it’s a high-energy gym session. Other days, it’s dancing in the living room to my favorite playlist. The beauty of movement is its flexibility. It doesn’t need to look a certain way. It just needs to feel good. Embracing this perspective has made exercise something I look forward to, not an obligation. Movement is freedom, and when it brings joy, it becomes a celebration instead of a task.
Grounding: Restoring Balance in a Chaotic World: In a world of constant notifications and endless tasks, grounding has become my escape. Simply stepping outside and feeling the earth beneath me brings a calming connection to nature. Some mornings, I stand barefoot in the grass with coffee in hand, soaking in the sunlight. Other times, it’s a quick pause during a hectic day to breathe and reset. Grounding reminds me that even in chaos, there’s stability when I take a moment to notice it.
Hydration as a Daily Reset Button: Drinking water seems too simple to matter, until you feel the difference. For years, I overlooked the impact of staying hydrated, but now it’s my daily reset. Each sip feels like self-care. I pair hydration breaks with intentional pauses, stepping away from the screen to breathe and recharge. These small rituals may seem minor, but they create moments of restoration, even on the busiest days.
The Ripple Effect: How Prioritizing Health Changes Everything
When I made health a non-negotiable part of my life, I expected to feel better or look more fit. What I didn’t anticipate was the ripple effect. Those small changes began transforming every other area of my life.
Strengthening Family Bonds: It started small with a family walk after dinner to unwind. What began as a quick stroll turned into an hour of laughter, connection, and shared memories. That one walk became a nightly tradition, and soon, prioritizing my wellness inspired my family to do the same. Wellness is contagious. By modeling healthy habits like making time for movement, eating balanced meals, and prioritizing rest, I quietly set an example for my loved ones. Family dinners became more intentional, filled with nourishing foods and meaningful conversations about what made us feel good.
Unlocking Creative Potential: I used to think creativity was a matter of luck, appearing only when inspiration struck. But as my health improved, I noticed a change. My mind felt clearer, my focus sharper, and my ideas more abundant. Wellness wasn’t just good for my body. It fueled my creativity. Some of my best ideas came during a walk or after yoga, when stress faded and space opened for imagination. Physical and mental wellness together became a powerful catalyst for creativity.
Elevating Work and Purpose: Before prioritizing my health, work felt draining. I was tired, distracted, and just getting through the day. But when I started taking care of myself—moving my body, eating well, and resting—I discovered how much more I had to give. Wellness brought energy, focus, and resilience. Tasks that once felt overwhelming became manageable, and I began finding joy in the process. Feeling strong and centered gave me the clarity to reconnect with my purpose and the “why” behind my work. Work is now about showing up fully, making meaningful contributions, and finding fulfillment. Prioritizing my health made that shift possible.
The Transformation: From Optional to Non-Negotiable
The realization that health couldn’t sit on the backburner didn’t come from a big event. It was the little things. The energy lost scrolling late at night, the lack of focus after skipping meals, and choosing emails over movement. These small choices weren’t just affecting my body; they were diminishing my ability to fully show up in life. That’s when I decided health needed space in my life. It deserved structure, respect, and a permanent place on my calendar.
Redefining Time for Wellness
Making health a priority wasn’t about finding “extra” time but reclaiming the time I already had. I realized wellness could fit into the margins of my day. Simple anchors made it seamless:
Stretching while the coffee brewed.
Hydrating while planning my day.
Taking meetings on a walk when possible.
These weren’t added tasks but reimagined ways to use my time. When wellness stops feeling like a time drain and starts enriching your life, everything changes.
Embracing the Discomfort of Change
Change wasn’t easy. It meant confronting habits and mental patterns that held me back, like saying no to late-night snacks or committing to an earlier bedtime. These weren’t just choices; they were boundaries. They were acts of self-respect that felt vulnerable at first. Over time, what started as discomfort transformed into pride for sticking to my goals, even when it wasn’t convenient.
Building Trust Through Non-Negotiable Habits
The greatest lesson in prioritizing health was learning to trust myself. Every time I drank water, took a walk, or chose a nourishing meal, I proved my health mattered. This trust created momentum, turning small actions into a durable lifestyle that could withstand busy days and challenges. Non-negotiable habits aren’t about rigidity; they’re about clarity. They keep you grounded, reminding you of what truly matters even when life feels chaotic.
The Wealth in Wellness: A Personal Reflection
For much of my younger years, health was an afterthought. It was more a way to "fix" myself when I felt the need. I ran half marathons because they were trendy, hired trainers after pregnancy to “get back in shape,” and went vegetarian because it seemed cool at the time. Looking back, these efforts weren’t about true health. They were driven by vanity, focused on looking a certain way rather than feeling good. This approach never lasted. My motivation was external, and once I hit a goal, or life got busy, I slid back into old habits. What I didn’t understand then was that health isn’t a project; it’s a relationship. At the time, mine was purely transactional.
A Personal Turning Point
Everything shifted when I began struggling with anxiety and stress. When I started facing challenges I couldn’t outrun or solve with a diet. I needed something deeper and sustainable to help me feel grounded and whole. Health stopped being about appearances and became my lifeline. I started small, focusing on what felt good in the moment:
Quiet walks in the sunshine to untangle my thoughts.
Grounding outside, barefoot on the grass, connecting with the earth.
Drinking water as an act of nourishment, not an afterthought.
The gym became a space to build strength and clarity, not burn calories. Meals turned into moments of mindfulness and nourishment, free from restrictions. These daily practices became as essential as getting dressed. They aren’t negotiable because they aren’t optional, they’re the foundation of how I show up in my life. They’ve brought me energy, natural motivation, and balance that transformed my perspective.
A Shift in Mindset
The biggest change? Health stopped being something I did in spurts or for specific outcomes. It became part of who I am. These practices aren’t about fixing myself. They’re about celebrating what’s possible when I prioritize self-care. Looking back, my early efforts weren’t wrong; they were just incomplete.
What I Learned
Health isn’t about perfection or fleeting goals. It’s about consistency, respect, and understanding that when I care for myself, I can care for everything else in my life more intentionally. So, I leave you with this: What could you gain by making health your foundation? For me, it’s unlocked more joy, resilience, and connection than I ever imagined. Maybe it could do the same for you.
Crafting Your Own Wellness Philosophy
Wellness isn’t a one-size-fits-all plan. It’s personal, evolving, and yours to define. Over time, I’ve learned that creating a wellness philosophy isn’t about copying someone else’s habits. It’s about discovering what makes you feel your best and building a structure to support that. For me, this means breaking the day into three intentional touchpoints: a morning anchor, a midday reset, and an evening restoration. These aren’t rigid rules but gentle guides that keep me grounded, no matter how busy life gets.
Morning Anchor - Starting with Intention: Mornings set the tone for the day. They feel fresh, full of possibility, and entirely mine. My morning anchor is simple but intentional. It was a chance to center myself before the demands of the day begin. This often includes stepping outside for a few minutes to breathe, stretch, and soak in the morning light. I pair it with a glass of water, sometimes with lemon, to wake up my system. Your morning anchor might look different. It could be meditation, journaling, or a few yoga poses. The key is starting the day with something grounding that gives you clarity for what’s ahead.
Midday Reset - Recharging in the Chaos: Midday can feel chaotic, with meetings, deadlines, and endless tasks. That’s why I prioritize a reset. For me, this often means movement. It doesn’t need to be a workout. Sometimes it’s a brisk walk or a quick stretch to release tension. Movement helps me recharge mentally and physically, giving me energy to finish the day strong. I also check in with myself. Am I hydrated? Have I eaten something nourishing? A midday reset isn’t about adding tasks but pausing to recalibrate and find balance.
Evening Restoration - Ending with Intention: Evenings are a time to slow down and restore. After a day of giving my energy to work, family, and everything else, I focus on giving back to myself. This might mean stepping away from screens, reading a book, stretching, or simply sitting quietly. My evenings are intentional, a chance to unwind rather than collapse into bed feeling drained. I also reflect on the day with gratitude, noting one thing that went well, no matter how small. This practice leaves me at peace and ready to close the day.
Creating Your Own Wellness Philosophy
Your wellness approach doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s. Start small, pay attention to what resonates, and let your routine evolve as you do. Wellness isn’t about perfection. It’s about building a rhythm that aligns with who you are and what you value. When you create that rhythm, wellness stops being something you chase. Wellness becomes part of who you are.
Health as the True Wealth: Final Thoughts
Prioritizing health isn’t about chasing perfection or following trends. It’s about building a foundation for the life you want. When health becomes non-negotiable, it stops being a task and becomes freedom. The freedom to live with energy, resilience, and clarity.
Looking back, my journey wasn’t about dramatic changes but small, consistent habits. Simple actions like walking in the sunshine, grounding outside, or enjoying a nourishing meal have added strength and balance to my life. The biggest shift was in my mindset. Wellness is no longer something I squeeze into my day. It is the core of how I live. It connects my family, fuels my creativity, and gives purpose to my work.
This path isn’t unique to me. It starts with small steps, like drinking more water, taking a quiet walk, or redefining your meals. Each choice you make for your health is an investment in your future self. So here is my question: What could change if health became your foundation? How might your relationships, work, and daily life transform if wellness was non-negotiable?
Start small, stay consistent, and watch as the ripple effects enrich your life. Your health is your greatest wealth, and the best time to invest in it is now.
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