Take Time for Your Health

June is Men’s Health Awareness Month. In this edition of Showcase, you’ll find great info on what you should do to keep your physical health in check. I won’t give you advice on any of that. After all, I’m not a medical professional, and frankly, not even someone who’s in peak shape these days. The pandemic year and raising two young kids hasn’t been kind to your boy. I am, however, someone who is striving to do better.

The great metabolism and genetics I was blessed with for most of my life have slowly left me behind. Gone are the days when I could drink sodas and eat bacon, while never gaining a pound. These days I’m eating healthier than I probably ever have, but still struggle to lose the weight I put on this past year. I don’t know the definitive answer for this, but I have a few guesses.

I don’t sleep nearly enough. I’m lucky if I get five hours in a night. I’ve completely dropped the ball, no pun intended, this past year when it comes to exercise. I’d gotten so used to playing softball 4 or 5 times a week that when we weren’t allowed to play last year, I never replaced that activity with something else. Now I know what you’re thinking, “Softball? Come on, Lee. That’s not much of a workout.” In your beer league, perhaps not, but my friends and I play like we’re in game 7 of the World Series, with life itself hanging in the balance. So in the heat of the summer, it’s pretty good for cardio. 

I mention all of that to say this: take time for yourself. Sleep a little more. Stress a little less. Jog around your neighborhood. Go to a yoga class. You will feel better, mentally and physically. I’m doing my best to take that advice myself, and look forward to a happier, and healthier, year ahead.