How do you find the time to stay healthy? Guest blogger Sarah shares her own challenges and hopes you follow. Don’t forget to check out a previous post she wrote for GirlGuidesCANBlog on the topic: Resolutions for a Healthy, Happy Guider.
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Image: Modified Microsoft Clip Art

Running from home to work, to home, to your Unit meeting can seem very rushed – cardio inducing, even. But we all know that, unfortunately, leading a hectic life can be anything but healthy.

Recently I began a process of trying to balance my life, in all avenues. From stress triggers to exercise to learning to live in the moment – actually taking time to enjoy what I am and have – I needed to find a new way to live.

The biggest challenge was exercising. I put up roadblocks: “I don’t have time.” “People will laugh at me trying to breathe while I run.” “Have you seen people like me wearing yoga pants?!” Imagine if we heard a Pathfinder say those things about herself. We wouldn’t stand for it. So we need to stop allowing ourselves to do the same.

I want you to think about the work, interest badges and Challenges you do yearly with your girls. We teach them about self-esteem; we teach them about stress; we preach the virtues of healthy living. But do we live them ourselves? And truthfully, why not?

You’re laughing a little and wondering, “Where does she think I can fit in the time?” But I’m not. Because time is something we all have; 24 hours/1,440 minutes each and every day. If it were as simple as putting aside half an hour a day to work on a healthy lifestyle, we all would be the most centered well-beings, with no joint pains, stress-induced migraines or possibly life changing health issues.

We don’t have challenges with crests for adult Members, so I can’t offer you much other than my support in this, but I challenge you to take some time today to think about the roadblocks you put up. It may be stress, finances, education, family, friends, exercise…the list can go on and on, because as Guiders I know that you wear many hats in your community. And if taking off a “hat” helps you find balance, you need to make that decision. If piloting a better schedule for yourself means that you don’t feel rushed, then grab a pen and paper and do it.

For me, it’s about planning (a common trait all us Guiders share). I stopped sitting around hoping I would find the energy and enthusiasm (and some magical fairy dust to turn my mental roadblocks around) to exercise. I made a plan and I just got up one day knowing that I had thought about it and couldn’t come up with an appropriate answer to why not.

Some thoughts to help you:

1.  Don’t say, “I can only walk a kilometer.” Go and walk that kilometer, proudly.
2. Find something that makes you feel balanced. It could be baths, reality TV, meditation or if you are like me, cooking. But make the time to do it and appreciate and congratulate yourself for making that time.
3. Stop putting up mental roadblocks! If you are this far into the post, it tells me that you want to lead a healthier lifestyle, because you’re willing to read about it!
4. Implement healthy activities into a Unit meeting once a month and participate! Don’t bring in a guest speaker about nutrition and take that time to scurry to the corner to balance the cheque book, or sort badges and permission slips!

It has been seven months since I ended up in the emergency room with a doctor telling me I needed to change my life. Sadly, this wasn’t the first time I had a medical professional tell me to slow down and enjoy life before I lose it. I won’t lie – I  do ‘promise to do my best’ but some days I don’t want to, some days I still put up roadblocks. But it’s seven months later and those around me can tell that I am finding gratitude, balance and good health on many more days than I did before.

 It makes me a healthier, happier and better daughter, boss, girlfriend and Guider.

Join me in making the next Guiding year a healthier one for not only our girl Members, but also our leaders.

By guest vlogger & blogger Guider Sarah of Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. Check out her own blog ‘Sarah Smells the Roses‘, as well as her previous blog posts for Girl Guides of Canada:

Sarah

• Girl Guides Membership Expiry? Never!
• From Frazzled to Dartmouth Shore Area Special Events Team Member
• Resolutions for the Happy, Healthy Guider
• Princess Industrial Complex
• Bustin’ a Century Year Old Girl Guide Myth
• There Were No Sexy Nurses at the First Halloween
• Review for GGC of the Coleman Camping Cookbook and Meal Planner App
• Why Every Brownie Should Have a Camp Blanket (Voted a GirlGuidesCANblog Big Deal Seal Winner!)
• I Camp Therefore I Have My Camp Blanket