Healthy Body: Exercise
Redefine Selfish
At the risk of being sweepingly general, I’ve noticed men are very good at taking the time they need to go to the gym, play golf, 5-a-side or do whatever hobbies they have.
Quite right too.
I’ve also noticed that many women are not.
(Also sometimes it’s the other way round, and I acknowledge there is a spectrum of gender expressions, identities and definitions. This is just something I noticed)
I invite you to consider that in some cases ‘selfishness’, is actually self-care. This is particularly true when it comes to to taking time for yourself, to exercise.
If you’re juggling family commitments alongside professional life, taking time out for exercise can sometimes be tinged with guilt.
Reframing ‘Selfishness’.
The term ‘selfish’ is practically always negative.
In 2024, as I write this women statistically still carry the heaviest ‘caring’ load.
Looking after children, checking in on older relatives, hosting family events etc.This stays consistent whether they work, full time, part time or exclusively in the home.
Caring people just don’t like being ‘selfish’.
We tend to put ourselves at the very end of a long list, with even the pets needs taking precedence over ours.
Self care isn’t just candles, incense and spa days.
It’s good food, exercise, enough sleep, staying hydrated, managing stress.
It’s everything the Power Cells aim to keep ticking along nicely. If you find yourself at the bottom of the ‘needs priority list’ – it might be necessary to have a shift in perspective.
If we’re talking about exercise in particular, it needs to be regular, consistent and ideally without one eye on the clock in case you are away from your responsibilities ‘too long’.
Whether it’s exercise, nutrition, or rest – prioritising your Power Ups is less about neglecting others and more about ensuring you’re at your best.
For them as well as you..
If you find yourself feeling guilty about taking time for yourself to exercise and feel great… it’s worth examining why?
And whether other people in your life take similar time without giving it an extra thought.
Exercise – a Form of Self Respect.
When you carve out time for physical activity, you’re not just giving your body what it needs, but also honouring your mental and emotional well-being.
This commitment to yourself is powerful.
Allocating time for physical activity is a profound form of self-respect.
You walk taller, stand your ground more assuredly and radiate confidence and assurance.
We can find ourselves constantly switching hats of caregiver, professional, parent, spouse, friend – and individual, on repeat.
Recognise that caring for your own health is integral to maintaining this balance, allowing you to be more present and effective in all aspects of life – and whichever hat you’re wearing.
Here’s to embracing a new kind of ‘selfishness’ – one that recognises the value of your health and well-being as paramount.
Action:
Be Selfish About Your Power Up Appointments:
- This week, consciously schedule your exercise sessions (as well as your Power Down sessions and enjoyment) as non-negotiable appointments. Ad-hoc and on the day arrangements makes your life – and thinking, chaotic.
- Reflect on the Impact:?
At the end of the week, reflect on how this dedicated time for yourself has influenced your interactions with family and work.
Planning them in advance in a routine makes them many times more likely to happen.
Time for you isn’t to the detriment of other people in your life.
It’s an investment in being a healthier, happier person, which they ultimately benefit from too.