Routine
As is true for many of us, I depend on a routine to keep me focused and healthy. When conditions or events interrupt our routine it is easy to skip many aspects of health care. I have found that it is very important for me to accurately categorize parts of my routine if I am to stay on track with health care. For example, I can either list gym or exercise as part of my daily routine. Since the Covid-19 arrived for a visit a gym has not been available. They were all ordered to close to help ensure that we keep social distancing to a maximum and, thus, help prevent the spread of the virus. Since that is the case, it would be easy for me to skip exercise. Yet, exercise is the goal, not gym time. Although I love going to the gym and taking advantage of the various types of equipment as well as seeing friends, there is nothing preventing me from exercising at home. I no longer have exercise equipment at home but I do have access to television programs via my prime fire TV stick. I have discovered many options including very vigorous offerings by Paul Eugene. I have also discovered Tai Chi video programs and many yoga options. There are some paid options but there are also many free ones.
Exercise is just one part of my daily health routine. Other parts are:
Those with responsibility for others – children and others for whom we care – will have to be especially intentional about taking care of oneself. Since I live alone at this time in my life and only have to care for myself in the home it is both easier to maintain a routine and more tempting to skip parts of the routine. After all, no one would know it if I lazed in bed an extra hour, I did not make my bed and do my morning exercises. Actually, there is only partly true, since friends and clients me expect to check in with them at the same time every day.
Many individuals accuse me of being a slave to my schedule and/or of being obsessively compulsive. This is only party true. I know myself well enough to accept that if I give myself one excuse for skipping some part of my health care routine I am creative enough to give myself an excuse for weeks or even months. I do not want to fall into the trap of waiting until I am motivated to take care of myself. I often do not feel like taking care of self but I know when I do I feel much better or at least do not feel worse. Of course I am sensible. If my body tells me that I need to alter my exercise routine I do that. If my body tells me I need to adjust my nutritional intake I do that also.
There is room for some flexibility but that flexibly has to be consistent with my core values. For example, nurturing a relationship with self and others is one of my core values. I want to always adjust my schedule when someone needs to talk or for me to be quietly present with them.
I am not suggesting that I am perfect with maintaining my routine although I am more consistent than I was as a young man. As my age I hope to be more both more forgiving and more honest with myself. Saying I will do it tomorrow has never worked for me. Tomorrow never comes because I just keep putting a task off until tomorrow and soon a week, month or year has passed.
The bottom line is that we need to take care of ourselves as well as we would a child or any person we unconditionally love and respect. Being consistent with routine holistic health care even when changes such as the visit of the Covid-19 arrive is going to ensure that we function our best – just for today.
Written March 25, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett, LPC, AADC
coachpickett.org
As is true for many of us, I depend on a routine to keep me focused and healthy. When conditions or events interrupt our routine it is easy to skip many aspects of health care. I have found that it is very important for me to accurately categorize parts of my routine if I am to stay on track with health care. For example, I can either list gym or exercise as part of my daily routine. Since the Covid-19 arrived for a visit a gym has not been available. They were all ordered to close to help ensure that we keep social distancing to a maximum and, thus, help prevent the spread of the virus. Since that is the case, it would be easy for me to skip exercise. Yet, exercise is the goal, not gym time. Although I love going to the gym and taking advantage of the various types of equipment as well as seeing friends, there is nothing preventing me from exercising at home. I no longer have exercise equipment at home but I do have access to television programs via my prime fire TV stick. I have discovered many options including very vigorous offerings by Paul Eugene. I have also discovered Tai Chi video programs and many yoga options. There are some paid options but there are also many free ones.
Exercise is just one part of my daily health routine. Other parts are:
- Staying on my normal schedule for going to bed and getting up.
- Staying in close touch with friends via the internet, phone or snail mail.
- Eating regular, healthy meals.
- Setting aside time for writing, reading and meditation.
- Writing down and sharing my spiritual intention for the day.
- Maintaining a clean, orderly (not obsessively orderly) home which is inviting and even embracing.
- Dressing and reporting for work in my home office the same as I do when I am seeing clients in person.
- Scheduling normal house chores such as cleaning, laundry, and bill paying.
Those with responsibility for others – children and others for whom we care – will have to be especially intentional about taking care of oneself. Since I live alone at this time in my life and only have to care for myself in the home it is both easier to maintain a routine and more tempting to skip parts of the routine. After all, no one would know it if I lazed in bed an extra hour, I did not make my bed and do my morning exercises. Actually, there is only partly true, since friends and clients me expect to check in with them at the same time every day.
Many individuals accuse me of being a slave to my schedule and/or of being obsessively compulsive. This is only party true. I know myself well enough to accept that if I give myself one excuse for skipping some part of my health care routine I am creative enough to give myself an excuse for weeks or even months. I do not want to fall into the trap of waiting until I am motivated to take care of myself. I often do not feel like taking care of self but I know when I do I feel much better or at least do not feel worse. Of course I am sensible. If my body tells me that I need to alter my exercise routine I do that. If my body tells me I need to adjust my nutritional intake I do that also.
There is room for some flexibility but that flexibly has to be consistent with my core values. For example, nurturing a relationship with self and others is one of my core values. I want to always adjust my schedule when someone needs to talk or for me to be quietly present with them.
I am not suggesting that I am perfect with maintaining my routine although I am more consistent than I was as a young man. As my age I hope to be more both more forgiving and more honest with myself. Saying I will do it tomorrow has never worked for me. Tomorrow never comes because I just keep putting a task off until tomorrow and soon a week, month or year has passed.
The bottom line is that we need to take care of ourselves as well as we would a child or any person we unconditionally love and respect. Being consistent with routine holistic health care even when changes such as the visit of the Covid-19 arrive is going to ensure that we function our best – just for today.
Written March 25, 2020
Jimmy F Pickett, LPC, AADC
coachpickett.org
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