Yes! Yes to relating health to how you feel. A big health metric is that number on the scale. A few years ago I made the mindset shift away from worrying about how I look relative to our cultural/societal ideas of “ideal” to focusing on how I feel. This tiny shift felt very rebellious….and right. If extra weight was preventing me from being comfortable in my clothes or doing that forward fold or twist in yoga then it did not feel good to be in my body. While I definitely still monitor that number on the scale, I now use it as a relative measure for myself, and focus more on how it feels to be in this body. And as for eating, I have found that when I respect my body by supplying it with good nutritious fuel it functions better and sets my mind at ease. I exercise as much for the physical benefits as the mental/spiritual ones, so again back to doing what feels good and healthy. My head scratcher on all of this is wondering why it took me the first 50+ years of my life to get to this place? 🤷🏻♀️
I love all that so much, Tami! Thank you for sharing and inspiring. And, you know, I think (at least for me) it’s a place of ongoing exploration and practice. In a certain way, everything has its season. Plus, we’re bombarded by so much messaging that prioritizes external reference points. Maybe a gift of being 50+ is being able to see through that a little more easily (at least more of the time).
I've been striving for many years to feel at ease in my body. A lower number on the scale was always a victory for me. But now at 55 years old, I've been diagnosed with early osteoporosis. I'm sure my decades of moderate to heavy drinking, beating myself up with workouts (especially mornings after over doing it), not eating enough protein or getting enough calcium, etc, played a role in my diagnosis/bone decay. But I'm a firm believer in "it's never too late," so I'm trying really hard to do better. Quitting alcohol almost 4 years ago was certainly a great start! Walking is my favorite physical activity, but I also started 15-30 minute strength workouts a couple times a week. YouTube videos are great! Thanks for another great essay, and now I'll be more conscience of what my health "feels like" this week:)
I believe that, too, Crystal. I also believe that there’s tremendous power in both belief itself and in tending to the fundamentals consistently over time - which it sounds like you’re doing! Cheering you on, and wishing you much steadiness and ease.
To me, feeling healthy means feeling that my body does everything I need it (not want it) to do in a consistent schedule and being able to be appreciative of very simple pleasures, especially my surroundings.
Love that. It reminds me of that saying (to paraphrase), “The healthy person has one thousand wishes. The person in poor health has only one wish.” Or even the Thich Nhat Hanh one about appreciating the “non-toothache.” ❤️
I love this distinction, Dana. The *feeling* of health. It expands it into something personal. And, in my mind, less fixed or forced.
I am someone who very easily intellectualizes everything. I’ve learned it’s a safety mechanism I’ve adapted since childhood. If I don’t tap into feelings/my body- I’m safe.
Trusting the feelings. Trusting my body is new to me. And I am embracing this version of health (versus the “fit” Allison who ran marathons yet felt so out of shape spiritually and mentally).
Yes - I love that, Allison. I think it feels more personal and less fixed or forced, too. And oof, I hear you on the safety mechanism of intellectualizing. So much wellness messaging these days feeds into that, I think, prioritizing data collection and (imagined) control over learning to connect with our body and heart.
So beautiful that you’re expanding into an embodied sort of feeling and trust.
For me, I think health feels like grounded, consistent energy. The central piece these days feels like balancing my nervous system enough that I don't ride too many spikes and crashes of adrenaline. It also feels like having a spacious mind, and being able to touch base with a witnessing awareness with whatever is happening day to day. I've recently been challenged to redefine my definition of health, recognising that there are certain patterns that keep circling back, no matter how hard I work to try to fix or improve them. Someone wiser than me pointed out that not everything is meant to be fixed, some things are here to be our teachers, and that was a helpful shift of perspective.
What's nourishing me at the moment is an incredible Thai massage therapist who managed in one session to unlock my shoulders and upper back that I have been struggling with for almost a year.
Such a beautiful description and feeling of health, Vicki. And I love that shift of perspective - in part because I, too, have certain patterns that circle back again and again.
How wonderful about your Thai massage therapist! Finding incredible practitioners always feels like such a deep blessing.
I felt a sense of soothing just reading this post, Dana! I appreciate the simplicity with which you break this down -- "How do you want to feel? What helps you feel that way? In your body, your mind, your spirit? When in doubt, do more of that. I promise it will bring you closer to how you most want to feel—maybe not all of the time, but a whole lot more often."
Yes, just that. Thank you for helping me to remember this, again.
What's nourishing me these days... kale, lightly boiled so it becomes brighter green but loses a bit of bitterness...flaxseed... dark chocolate.
Returning to a morning writing practice.
Also in the morning -- stretching, especially pelvic waves.
I'd say health to me feels very much like what you described... a sense of ease, a sense that my body is in balance and serving me to move through the world in a way that is of benefit to me and all beings.
Thank you, Maia! Your generous words went straight to my heart.
And I love hearing what’s nourishing you... and how you so beautifully describe what health feels like. There’s something that feels truly holistic to me when we expand our sense of health beyond ourselves while, at the same time, not forgetting ourselves or our role as our own primary caretakers.
Yes! Yes to relating health to how you feel. A big health metric is that number on the scale. A few years ago I made the mindset shift away from worrying about how I look relative to our cultural/societal ideas of “ideal” to focusing on how I feel. This tiny shift felt very rebellious….and right. If extra weight was preventing me from being comfortable in my clothes or doing that forward fold or twist in yoga then it did not feel good to be in my body. While I definitely still monitor that number on the scale, I now use it as a relative measure for myself, and focus more on how it feels to be in this body. And as for eating, I have found that when I respect my body by supplying it with good nutritious fuel it functions better and sets my mind at ease. I exercise as much for the physical benefits as the mental/spiritual ones, so again back to doing what feels good and healthy. My head scratcher on all of this is wondering why it took me the first 50+ years of my life to get to this place? 🤷🏻♀️
I love all that so much, Tami! Thank you for sharing and inspiring. And, you know, I think (at least for me) it’s a place of ongoing exploration and practice. In a certain way, everything has its season. Plus, we’re bombarded by so much messaging that prioritizes external reference points. Maybe a gift of being 50+ is being able to see through that a little more easily (at least more of the time).
I've been striving for many years to feel at ease in my body. A lower number on the scale was always a victory for me. But now at 55 years old, I've been diagnosed with early osteoporosis. I'm sure my decades of moderate to heavy drinking, beating myself up with workouts (especially mornings after over doing it), not eating enough protein or getting enough calcium, etc, played a role in my diagnosis/bone decay. But I'm a firm believer in "it's never too late," so I'm trying really hard to do better. Quitting alcohol almost 4 years ago was certainly a great start! Walking is my favorite physical activity, but I also started 15-30 minute strength workouts a couple times a week. YouTube videos are great! Thanks for another great essay, and now I'll be more conscience of what my health "feels like" this week:)
I believe that, too, Crystal. I also believe that there’s tremendous power in both belief itself and in tending to the fundamentals consistently over time - which it sounds like you’re doing! Cheering you on, and wishing you much steadiness and ease.
To me, feeling healthy means feeling that my body does everything I need it (not want it) to do in a consistent schedule and being able to be appreciative of very simple pleasures, especially my surroundings.
Love that. It reminds me of that saying (to paraphrase), “The healthy person has one thousand wishes. The person in poor health has only one wish.” Or even the Thich Nhat Hanh one about appreciating the “non-toothache.” ❤️
I love this distinction, Dana. The *feeling* of health. It expands it into something personal. And, in my mind, less fixed or forced.
I am someone who very easily intellectualizes everything. I’ve learned it’s a safety mechanism I’ve adapted since childhood. If I don’t tap into feelings/my body- I’m safe.
Trusting the feelings. Trusting my body is new to me. And I am embracing this version of health (versus the “fit” Allison who ran marathons yet felt so out of shape spiritually and mentally).
Yes - I love that, Allison. I think it feels more personal and less fixed or forced, too. And oof, I hear you on the safety mechanism of intellectualizing. So much wellness messaging these days feeds into that, I think, prioritizing data collection and (imagined) control over learning to connect with our body and heart.
So beautiful that you’re expanding into an embodied sort of feeling and trust.
For me, I think health feels like grounded, consistent energy. The central piece these days feels like balancing my nervous system enough that I don't ride too many spikes and crashes of adrenaline. It also feels like having a spacious mind, and being able to touch base with a witnessing awareness with whatever is happening day to day. I've recently been challenged to redefine my definition of health, recognising that there are certain patterns that keep circling back, no matter how hard I work to try to fix or improve them. Someone wiser than me pointed out that not everything is meant to be fixed, some things are here to be our teachers, and that was a helpful shift of perspective.
What's nourishing me at the moment is an incredible Thai massage therapist who managed in one session to unlock my shoulders and upper back that I have been struggling with for almost a year.
Such a beautiful description and feeling of health, Vicki. And I love that shift of perspective - in part because I, too, have certain patterns that circle back again and again.
How wonderful about your Thai massage therapist! Finding incredible practitioners always feels like such a deep blessing.
I felt a sense of soothing just reading this post, Dana! I appreciate the simplicity with which you break this down -- "How do you want to feel? What helps you feel that way? In your body, your mind, your spirit? When in doubt, do more of that. I promise it will bring you closer to how you most want to feel—maybe not all of the time, but a whole lot more often."
Yes, just that. Thank you for helping me to remember this, again.
What's nourishing me these days... kale, lightly boiled so it becomes brighter green but loses a bit of bitterness...flaxseed... dark chocolate.
Returning to a morning writing practice.
Also in the morning -- stretching, especially pelvic waves.
I'd say health to me feels very much like what you described... a sense of ease, a sense that my body is in balance and serving me to move through the world in a way that is of benefit to me and all beings.
Thank you, Maia! Your generous words went straight to my heart.
And I love hearing what’s nourishing you... and how you so beautifully describe what health feels like. There’s something that feels truly holistic to me when we expand our sense of health beyond ourselves while, at the same time, not forgetting ourselves or our role as our own primary caretakers.