You've probably heard the saying, "Self-care isn't selfish, it's necessary."
Well, I couldn't agree more!
Investing in your health is exactly that. INVESTING!
Working with a health professional (like me!), getting a gym membership or purchasing equipment to work out at home, setting aside time for relaxation & adequate sleep, reading your Bible, investing in quality supplements when appropriate, and spending time with friends & loved ones who encourage and build you up.
These aren't simply expenses or things that take time away from everything else you need to do. They're INVESTMENTS in your health & well-being!
They're not frivolous purchases or time wasters. They're investments that allow you to become healthier, stronger & better equipped to show up for the people you love.
Because when you're constantly giving to everyone else without taking care of yourself, eventually you're going to have very little left to give.
Your physical, mental, emotional & spiritual health aren't luxuries. They're PRIORITIES!
As Christians, I believe we should also look at self-care through the lens of stewardship.
1 Corinthians 6:19-20 reminds us that our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit & that we're called to honor God with our bodies.
Caring for yourself is one way of honoring God by stewarding the body He's entrusted to you.
When you begin looking at self-care through that lens, I believe it becomes easier to recognize that prioritizing your health isn't selfish. It's part of equipping yourself to love others, serve them well & bring glory to God!
Now, here's something I really want you to think about:
SHOW UP FOR YOURSELF the way you would for others.
RESPECT YOURSELF the way you would others.
LEAD YOURSELF the way you would others.
You would never tell someone you love that their health goals aren't important. That they should keep putting themselves last, wait until Monday, next month, after the holidays or until January to start making changes.
Of course not!
You would encourage them to get started NOW. To take their health seriously, make themselves a priority & begin investing in their well-being.
So why aren't you doing the same for yourself?
Think about how often you keep your word to other people. When you make a commitment, you show up. You follow through. You make it happen, even when it's inconvenient.
You deserve that same level of commitment from yourself!
Did you schedule your workouts for the week? SHOW UP!
Did you set aside a few evenings to rest at home, read a book, watch Netflix or spend quality time with your family? SHOW UP!
Did you plan your evenings so you can get adequate sleep instead of staying up late scrolling on your phone or trying to squeeze in one more task? SHOW UP!
Did you commit to preparing nourishing meals, setting healthy boundaries or spending more intentional time with God? SHOW UP!
These commitments matter, and so do YOU!
Of course, life happens. Sometimes schedules need to change, and sometimes taking care of yourself means choosing rest over the workout you originally planned. The goal isn't perfection or rigidly following a schedule no matter what.
The goal is to stop treating your own well-being as the first thing that's negotiable whenever life gets busy.
Don't continually cancel your self-care plans on yourself.
Don't show up at a high level for everyone & everything else, only to leave yourself last with nothing left to give.
Remember, taking care of yourself doesn't mean neglecting your responsibilities or the people you love. It means recognizing that your health affects how you're able to fulfill those responsibilities & show up in your relationships.
When you're well nourished, adequately rested, physically stronger, emotionally supported & spiritually grounded, you're better equipped to handle life's challenges.
You're also in a better position to be present, patient, loving & intentional with the people around you.
Caring for yourself isn't selfish. Your health isn't a luxury. It's a NECESSITY!
Investing in your health can open the door to a new level of personal growth, purpose & influence.
Your family, friends, loved ones, colleagues, church & community can all benefit when you're healthier, stronger, more energetic, happier & more resilient. They benefit from your OVERFLOW rather than what's left over!
And ultimately, the KINGDOM benefits!
Because when you're caring for the body God has entrusted to you, you're better equipped to use the gifts He's given you, serve the people He's placed in your life & fulfill the purpose He's called you to.
THAT is what it's all about!
So here's my encouragement to you today. Stop waiting for the perfect time to prioritize your health. Stop treating your needs as less important than everyone else's. Stop making commitments to yourself that you're willing to break at the first sign of inconvenience.
Start showing up for yourself with the same love, respect & commitment you so freely give to others.
If you know you need to make your health a priority but struggle with knowing where to start, staying consistent or actually IMPLEMENTING what you learn, I'd love to help you!
Inside The Weight Loss & Wellness Club, I help you understand your body, address the different Pillars of Health & take practical steps toward lasting weight loss and overall wellness.
Through step-by-step lessons, practical tools, twice-monthly LIVE Q&A calls & a supportive private Facebook community, you'll have the education, encouragement & accountability to help you follow through on the commitments you're making to yourself.
Because information alone doesn't create change. IMPLEMENTING what you learn does!
You don't need another Monday restart or another year of putting yourself last. You need to start investing in yourself NOW, and I'd love to walk alongside you as you do.
Are you ready to start showing up for yourself?
Jen Knutson
Functional Medicine Coach, Nutritionist & Traditional Naturopath
