M- Mindfulness Meditation.  This can be anything from sitting quietly with a cup of tea and reading some inspiring words, to practicing a Headspace  or Insight Timer meditation, to writing in my journal.  Each day, my goal is to commit to just a few moments of some sort of mindfulness practice.  Some days I may sit and meditate for a longer period of time, and some days, I simply sit on the edge of the bed before I lay down and think of one thing that was great about my day.  So, whether it took me 30 minutes, or 30 seconds, my goal is some sort of mindfulness or meditation practice each day.

 

E- EXERCISE!  Do I really need an explanation for this?  Movement is the key to life.  In fact, death is simply a lack of movement (on all fronts from each cell in the body).  So, in order to stay alive and FEEL alive, we must MOVE!  You don't have to get in an hour long, high intensity strength or  cardio workout each day, or run a marathon. But some sort of exercise each day is important.  Some days are lower impact, like yoga or long walks, while other days I attend a high energy kickboxing class.  Most days, however, I choose to do Trainer In Your Back Pocket workouts, because, well, in my opinion, they KICK ASS!  (and I can do them at home in 30 minutes or less!)

D- Diet.  Did I eat intentionally today? Did I follow my own clean eating food rules? Or, did I give in to the temptation of the pizza or chips?  This is the task that for me, is the hardest, but when I know that it's part of my MEDS, I actually make a better effort to complete it.  I mean, what is MEDS with out the D? Just a MES!  When you eat with intention to fuel your body, you no longer eat to satisfy emptiness, boredom, sadness, stress, or fear.  (emotions that we ALL go through!)  In fact, it makes meal planning so much simpler to cut out the CRAP. (Carbs, Refined Sugars, Anything Artificial or Processed.)  My focus is to eat proteins, vegetables, and any other REAL FOOD that grows or has a mother! 

S- Social Support.  When you're an introvert at heart, like myself, and would rather stay home than go out and socialize, it's easy to fall into the habit of being lonely and not feeling  connected to the world. (SOCIAL MEDIA DOES NOT COUNT!)  Depression is a dark space that so many of us face.  The key is to put yourself out there to keep the darkness at bay.   This is especially true for me during deployment periods when I am literally alone for months at a time.  Every day, make an effort to be social in some way. Whether it's a simple phone call to a friend, meeting someone for coffee or tea, interacting with clients and co-workers, or joining a group hike or workout. We are social creatures.  Something social is a must in order to completely take all of your MEDS.  

Let's be honest, some days I only get the MED in. Some days I only get the MES, or EDS, or any combination of MEDS.  But my ultimate goal is to take all of my MEDS, every day.  Having these four letters to check off daily in my calendar helps me to stay proactive about my health and life. They are not things that should be done "occasionally."  These are 4 things that need to be done DAILY.   Otherwise, life somehow has a way of taking over, and the MEDS end up sitting on an empty shelf not being used.  Get the benefit of your MEDS by making a daily effort to take them.  It does take effort, but the rewards in "feel good power" are amazing, and the routine that you will create for yourself will put you closer to living more inspired! (and who doesn't want that?!)