Johnny Cash talks about modifying his behavior in the song “Because You’re Mine I Walk The Line” to keep love in his life. Sometimes for important stuff it is worth the effort to change our behavior and walk the line. Is a healthier life worth making changes for? Intellectually anyone might say yes. But this is a difficult thing to sell to people, even really sick people because our culture is so normalized to unhealthy lifestyles choices. I have added essential habits to help me stay on the healthy side of life.
Walk The Line of Self Care For Health
Recently I had a friend say that unlike other people he knows I will turn down homemade pie and ice cream. I have different demons. I know I often eat to soothe rather than nourish and have put on weight. He is right; I am unwilling to eat sugary desserts that I know will cause me pain. I walk the line, eat whole nutrient dense foods, and stay away from wheat and dairy because I want to feel my best with Lyme.
I have come to understand I need a little extra help to take good care of myself. My ability to digest my life drives me to “coping ugly” habits like romance novels, binge TV and overeating. Health and self- care often get a little lost in the shuffle of life. Lyme demands my focus, and I appreciate the reminders to walk the line and support healthy living.
Everything I read and listen too states activity choice is instrumental in our health. I have altered my daily routines and behavior to support feeling my best. Here are four habits that have shifted my energy to the better and help me meet life from a spiritual perspective. These practices support my physical wellness, and I could not walk the line for health without them.
Appreciation
Each day before I go to sleep and get out of bed in the morning, I take a minute to appreciate good things that I experience each day. Appreciation is a practice with lots of benefits. I get to remember the joys of each day. Maybe, more importantly, I began to see the benefits as more important than the troubles and highlight how they shine each day. Over time this has shifted my perspective, making me more open-minded and optimistic.
Active Stress Reduction
Low tolerance to digest stress is an issue for me. I tend to hang on too long and ruminate on things I can’t control. At this point, the answer for me is reminding myself of the playground model of life. The playground paradigm is sort of like life being a school but with way more emphasis on fun. Be okay with okay. Quit the blame and shame game. Remember to play for joy, fail fast, learn, and move on.
“Given What is What do I want to do?” is a saying I keep at hand.
Regular Relaxation
I schedule consistent relaxation into my day, my week, and season. My daily routine includes practices like progressive relaxation, yoga nidra, as well as getting out in nature or picking blueberries. I know I need routine relaxation, ease to sleep well, and stay well.
Now over scheduling is a rare thing. If I keep my ego in check things, work well, and I walk the line between staying active and overwhelmed. If not, I can cross the line and cause harm. Because of this, I have to think hard about my choices and what I want to achieve with each one.
Meditation
Meditation is my keystone habit; the most important thing I do every day. Silence gives me the space to notice when stuff is building up. I see when I need to bow to the universe and loosen my grip on life and enjoy more. I have a personal practice and also benefit from meditating in groups.
These habits work hand in hand to help me feel well and motivate me to grow spiritually. I had to identify tools to encourage wellness and healing are a consequence of my struggle with tick-borne illness. Your challenge may be chronic illness or other difficulties. All of the challenges life gives us are uniquely designed to help us walk the line to our best selves.