Most of us live very full lives and juggle numerous responsibilities. Since we have so much going on, it’s easy to lose focus of our health. Checking in on a regular basis-monthly quarterly or biannually is a great way to remember the small building blocks of health with our ever-changing lives. Some areas to consider are:

• Sleep quality-Are you waking up feeling well rested? What are the challenges around your sleep? If you are experiencing health changes, that could impact your sleep. Going through periods of transition could also affect your sleep. Brainstorm a list of changes that you can implement that actually work for your needs. It may be hard to suddenly go to bed at 10 p.m. when your usual time is 2 a.m., but you can try setting the clock back half an hour for the next couple of days and see how that feels. I’ve tried to wake up at the same time everyday, but I’ve accepted that I sleep in an extra hour on the weekends. I function the best this way.
  
  I love the term revenge bedtime procrastination. I never knew there was a term for what I was doing. This means that you feel as though you don’t have enough time to yourself and you stay up late for me time, whether to enjoy a hobby or your favorite t.v. show. See what patterns are repeatedly coming up for you before you decide to adjust your sleep schedule. Take some time to conduct an experiment. Observe and test.
  
  Forgive yourself and be patient if you aren’t as consistent as you’d like. In the beginning, it may feel uncomfortable to say “I need to go home early” just so you can get much needed rest. Over time, you’ll enjoy the benefits of refreshing sleep and this will become a routine for you.




• Cravings- Having cravings is normal, but if you can’t make it through the day without xxx, then try looking at the root cause. When I’m feeling sick, I automatically crave Korean soups because of my childhood. Also, the bone broth and other healthy ingredients are what my body’s wisdom tells me is most nourishing. Cravings can be a positive message that meets your body’s needs, but here we are concerned about the other kind. If you are constantly having cravings for unhealthy food, see if you can make a substitution, maybe not every time, but some of the time. You may have to plan ahead. Drink a glass of water and see if the craving calms down. Every little action leads to a healthier you. With all of the cultural messages we receive and the unhealthy fare at work and school, you have to go against the tide in a mindful way. Writing in your journal can help you with any underlying difficult emotions or situations you are dealing with. 




• Movement: I recently visited the hospital/rehab center every day for multiple weeks and noticed hip pain and stiffness. I was sitting in a chair for hours and realized that I couldn’t keep going this way. Taking a walk around my neighborhood felt like a great way to clear my head and get much needed exercise.They say to treat exercise like an appointment but if you can find something you enjoy, then you will have something to look forward to. Being realistic about your schedule is important. Maybe on the weekends you can have leisurely workouts, but 20 minutes on a busy weeknight is still meaningful.