Borrowing from the Bank of Our Health

I was out for a run and clipping across the Walnut Street Bridge in Chattanooga. The warmth of the sun and a light breeze in the air made the conditions perfect for getting out and getting active. Without realizing, my mind began swimming over how inspired I felt out there and how proud I felt of myself to practice what I preach to my clients and community and how important it is for me being a strong, healthy dad and husband.

My mind raced, I increased my pace, I felt motivated and determined. Suddenly, in my mind’s eye a single eyebrow raise and a short question “Have I been in a hole?”.

The winter can feel gray and emotions associated with it can feel overcast as well.

Have you found that you have been experiencing low motivation, but started to feel better since you’ve been active in the nice weather?

There is a reason for that!

One reason you feel better in warmer months is because you feel more motivated to take care of your health. 

It is even statistically shown that people experience their poorest health in the winter months!

So how do we take what we know about this and apply it to our energy and motivations?

Maslow Hierarchy of Needs has answers on what drives motivation using five tiers of human needs starting with physiological health up to self actualization. This tool is often used for educators and corporate managers, but it is also helpful for understanding your overall health and wellness.

As you can see, health falls into the bottom two tiers. If our basic health is not taken care of first, we are not able to meet all of our human needs.

Just above physiological and safety needs is “Love & Belonging.” Feeling a strong sense of community is a necessary part of your basic human needs & health. This is why we spend so much time talking about community in our practice.

It is common to try to skip tiers in order to feel happier. 

You may skip meals and work longer days in order to feel a sense of accomplishment (esteem) at work. Or you may sacrifice your sleep in order to feel a sense of belonging by staying out late with friends and acquaintances. 

How have you done this in the past? 

How do you feel when you put other needs before your health?

I love this quote from Aubrey Marcus:

“Everything is super important. Until you are sick. Then you realize there was only ever one thing that was important.

Your health.

But nonetheless we borrow from the bank of our health, taking loans against self-care boundaries and sleep to pay for something that doesn’t really matter.”

So yes, even me as a health practitioner has to be reminded to set boundaries and come back to a simple check in with my basic human needs. If I do not, no matter how big my “Why” is, I’m just asking to get wrecked with burn-out and low motivation.

Since the run, I’ve been focused on two words “pace” and “boundaries”. This has helped me maintain energy and lean into the new bright season. I hope this helps you too!