You’ve Got a Lot to Take Care of Today

Are YOU on the List?

By Sommer Hunke

If I had a dollar for every time a woman told me she felt selfish using her time to work out, meditate, read, or cook healthier, I could easily go buy that fancy pair of cowboy boots I have my eye on. I’m curious why so many women feel guilty for taking care of themselves. When you sacrifice regular self-care, it will eventually lead to deteriorating health. I recently read that stress causes up to 90 percent of all doctor visits. Does that sound like an obvious area in our life we need to address? I think so.  

Helping women fully understand they must spend time getting and staying healthy and feeling happy in order to function at the top of their game is one of my biggest challenges as a health and life coach. Exercise and eating better aren’t luxuries — they are necessities. Having more energy and feeling good can improve all aspects of a person’s life. While I cannot fully understand every individual’s unique life situation, I know self-care is possible for anyone. I’ve seen life transformations for a busy mom of four, a high-level executive, an oil field project manager, and a successful realtor. I’m confident that if these women can transition to healthier lifestyles, everyone can make time each day for themselves. Notice — it’s make time not find time. 

Women “plan on” taking care of themselves — right after they pack lunches, chaperone a field trip to the zoo, work all day, pick up the dry cleaning, get groceries, whip up cookies for the Friday night church soup event, make supper, do laundry, help with homework, study for their master’s degree, and get everyone to bed.  Repeat day after day until they are so worn out, they cannot even imagine spending 30 minutes to work out, journal, meditate, or read their Bible.

When a woman commits to fueling her body with nourishing food, moving more, and changing her mindset on how she responds to stress in her life, it can be magical.  

It’s incredibly rewarding to observe women notice their energy increase, feel well-rested, improve their self-confidence, and be more patient with family members and co-workers. One of my clients  told me her 13-year-old son said, “Your new diet must be working, you seem so much happier and you look less tired.” This client was a little more than two weeks into cutting out processed foods, sugar, dairy, and moving more. Yes, food affects mood and energy that much! 

What could happen in your life if you took care of yourself every day? Don’t overthink it, just get started.  Eat real whole foods, move more, and own the fact that this is your life and you are in control of how you respond to it. As a smart, powerful, caring, and talented woman, stop sacrificing your health and allow yourself  the “me” time you need and deserve.

Sommer Hunke is a certified health and life coach at 180 Health Solutions in Mandan, North Dakota. She loves all things health and believes health is more than just the food you eat and how you move your body — it’s about creating experiences that fulfill us every day.