I am so excited to write about this next topic: feeling the benefits. Remember, October is all about FUN and how fun relates to health and well-being. “We got it, we got it… but how does feeling the benefits mean we are having fun?” Oh boy! I am so glad you asked.

Think about work for a moment. “Work!? But that is no fun!!” Stay with me for a moment, as I get to my point. So think about work… now think about when you get through a task. Let’s say the Joint Commission is scheduled to come. So your unit has been prepping and prepping… and prepping…

Now the JC leaves. You all exhale. And success. It is over. But what happens next? Well, there is always the next “thing” to prep for. Maybe it is Magnet re-designation. Maybe it is another survey. Maybe it is correcting the issues that were found on this last one. You know the drill. As fast as one thing ends, the next begins.

Life can be like this too. Health goals can start looking and sounding this way. You accomplish one thing… and… what’s next? What do I have to get done now? “Alright, so I’ve washed the kitchen floor… but now I’ve got to get to the laundry…” Life KEEPS on happening! You can’t get a break!

You run a 5K. You accomplish that goal, but guess what? The next race is a month from now so you’ve got to start training for that. Or are you training for the longer race you have scheduled out next fall? Where am I? What am I doing all of this for?

Ahh… there is the million dollar question! What are you doing all of this for? Do you even remember?

Part of having FUN with our health and well-being is actually feeling the benefits of our efforts. It is actually taking the time to enjoy what we are doing. It is actually noticing that our work is paying off.

Here is an example, an easy one just to paint this picture for us. So you have decided to start eating healthier. You no longer eat sugary breakfast foods and have cut out sugar-filled juices in the morning. Instead you drink green smoothies and eat oatmeal for breakfast. Hmm… . Ok. So day after day you are choosing the healthy choice. But have you even noticed how you feel?

Do you realize that at 10 am (when you used to get so sleepy and irritable at work) you are still feeling fine? In fact, you have energy throughout your entire day!?! Have you noticed that when you get home from your shift you don’t want to crash right onto the couch any longer? That you are ready to take a walk with the kids in the park!?

When you actually notice the benefits of your efforts you are more likely to continue with them. When you feel the good effects of the choices you make- it is easier to make those health-conscious decisions.

I do this all of the time. If I am on vacation with my family- they always want to go to this pancake house called Uncle Bill’s. Which is fine. However I NOTICE that when I do go with them, eat the sugary, processed pancakes, I am EXhausted about 30 minutes later! On the other hand, when I take in my green smoothie and healthy breakfast… Oh yeah! I feel great all day.

Start looking at your own life. If you are doing something because it is healthy- if you have made a health goal- do you realize what it is doing for you? Do you feel the benefits you are getting? When you start to notice the benefits, you have more satisfaction with what you are doing. You have more fun. You are more likely to stick with it!

I’d love to hear from you! What are some of the healthy routines you have, healthy choices you make? Do you feel the benefits from these? Have you noticed that when you do something healthy your body, mind, or spirit feels a certain way?