Your "Why" and core values

Written by Miriam Hussey

The first module of the Integrative 360 program emphasises the importance of understanding one's core values and our "Why". It aims to prompts us to reflect on why being healthy is important and to identify the driving factors behind our desire to prioritise self-care.


Self-care is often misconstrued as selfishness, but in reality, it is a necessity for overall well-being. Taking care of oneself is not a luxury but a crucial component of a healthy and fulfilling life. In the hustle and bustle of daily life, it is easy to neglect our own needs and prioritise others. However, it is imperative to understand that one's health matters, and we must find our "Why" in order to help us prioritise self-care.

• Finding Your "Why": It is essential to identify YOUR "Why" for being healthy, and understand the concept of bio individuality, which means no one diet or lifestyle suits all. Depending on your age, environment, lifestyle, can place us in different phases and stages of our lives and thus our needs, desires and prioritise are going to be different. Your why is personal and specific to you. This could be wanting to live a long and fulfilling life, setting a good example for your loved ones, or simply feeling more energetic and confident. Understanding your motivation can help you stay committed to your self-care routine.

• How to discover your why? - Become a Detective of Your Soul: Take time to pause, breathe, meditate, journal or take time in nature and reflect on what truly matters to you and what motivates you to be healthy. By delving deep into your desires and aspirations, you can uncover your "Why" and use it as a guiding light in your self-care journey.

• Are you on your own priority list: An exercise I often get my clients to do is to write down the top 5 most important people in their life. Then I ask them did they put themselves on that list? The vast majority of people don’t. But the reality is that, If you are a mother or a father, a brother or a sister, a daughter or a son, a friend or a loved one, well the likelihood is that YOU are on somebody else’s top 5 list, and if something happened you tomorrow their world would be devastated. So, YOU DO MATTER, and your health matters.

• Importance of Health: Health is wealth, and without good health, other aspects of life can be greatly impacted. Being healthy allows us to enjoy life to the fullest, pursue passions, and be present for our loved ones. For instance, a person who prioritises their health through regular exercise, mindful and soulful living and a balanced diet are likely to have more energy and a positive outlook on life. Neglecting your well-being can lead to physical, mental, and emotional consequences that may affect not only you but also those around you.

• Life is Not a Dress Rehearsal: Time is precious, and each day is an opportunity to make choices that align with your values and goals. By prioritising self-care and making lifestyle decisions that align to YOUR WHY, you are investing in your future self and taking steps towards a healthier and happier life.

Here are some powerful questions to ask yourself: If you continue to work the way you work, eat the way you eat, drink the way you drink, move the way you move, think the way you think… what does this look like for you in 5 or 10 years time? Does the vision of this person inspire you or scare you?

• Being a Role Model: By taking care of ourselves and prioritising our health, we set a positive example for others, especially our children. Children learn by observing their parents' actions, and modeling self-care behaviors can instil in them the importance of looking after themselves. As a result, they are more likely to prioritize their health and well-being in the future.

• Keep Your "Why" Visible: Once you have identified your "Why", keep it in a visible place as a reminder of your goals and motivations. Maybe you have a picture, or a mantra on your phone or laptop screen saver, or on your fridge, bedside locker or bathroom mirror. By staying connected to your purpose, you can make decisions that support your overall well-being and bring you closer to your vision of success and health.
  
  
  
  At the end of the day, our health ought to be a top priority. Neglecting self-care can lead to burnout, exhaustion, and ultimately impact one's ability to care for others effectively. Without good physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health, it becomes challenging to navigate the demands of daily life. By investing in self-care activities, such as exercise, meditation, healthy eating, trauma release, emotional regulation, balancing of the nervous system, creating community and loving relationships, as well as adequate rest and sleep, we can ensure that we are in the best possible shape to handle life's adversities, ignite our inner potential and passions, manifest our dreams and become the best versions of ourselves.
  
  Remember, self-care is not a delicacy, it is a necessity. You matter and your health matters.

Miriam Hussey