Today's blog is all about prioritizing your health. This past week, I had the privilege of leading a virtual workshop for an amazing organization called Premier Moms. The session has already reached over 3k views on Facebook, and many people have requested my notes from that day. I'm excited to share them with you here! Be sure to pass this blog along to someone you care about so they can implement these strategies into their own lives.
I want to talk about something we often overlook in our busy lives—our health. And when I say health, I mean all of it—physical, mental, and emotional. We spend so much time taking care of others, meeting deadlines, and fulfilling obligations that we often neglect the most important person in our lives—ourselves. But if we truly want to be at our best, we have to start making choices that serve us, not drain us.
The key to this? Boundaries, expectations, and standards. These three principles are essential in making sure that we don’t just survive—we thrive. Let’s break them down.
Boundaries: Protecting Your Peace
Boundaries are not walls; they are filters. They help us determine what we allow into our lives and what we keep out. When it comes to our health, boundaries are essential.
- Physical Health: Setting boundaries around your time means making space for things like rest, exercise, and proper nutrition. It means saying “no” to the extra work shift if it’s going to leave you exhausted and drained. It’s recognizing that burnout is not a badge of honor.
- Mental & Emotional Health: Boundaries also protect your peace. That means limiting toxic relationships, avoiding unnecessary stress, and not overcommitting yourself to things that don’t serve you. Sometimes, it’s as simple as not answering that phone call or stepping away from conversations that steal your joy.
- Spiritual Health: If your faith is important to you, then setting boundaries around your spiritual practices—whether it’s prayer, meditation, or simply quiet time—can keep you grounded and centered.
When you set boundaries, you are telling the world, “My health matters.” And when you enforce them, you are telling yourself the same thing.
Expectations: Setting the Right Mindset
Many of us struggle with our health because of unrealistic or misplaced expectations—either from others or from ourselves.
- Expectations from Others: Sometimes, people expect too much from us. They expect us to always be available, always say yes, and never take a break. But their expectations do not have to become our reality. It is okay to disappoint people if it means taking care of yourself.
- Self-Expectations: On the flip side, we need to be mindful of the expectations we place on ourselves. We often think, “I should be able to handle this,” or “I have to push through no matter what.” But that mindset leads to exhaustion. Instead, set realistic expectations for yourself. Give yourself grace. You are allowed to rest. You are allowed to take things one step at a time.
The key is to set expectations that align with your well-being, not against it.
Standards: Defining What You Deserve
Your standards determine how you allow yourself to be treated—by others and by yourself. When it comes to health, having high standards is not selfish; it’s necessary.
- Personal Standards: If you say you want to be healthy, what does that look like? Does it mean getting enough sleep? Drinking more water? Not letting work consume your life? You have to define what good health means to you and commit to living by those standards.
- Relationship Standards: The people around you should respect your need for self-care. If someone constantly drains your energy, disrespects your time, or doesn’t support your growth, then it may be time to reconsider that relationship.
- Work & Life Balance: Set standards for how much time and energy you are willing to give to work, commitments, and responsibilities. You should not have to sacrifice your well-being to meet someone else’s expectations.
When you raise your standards, you send a clear message—to yourself and to others—that your health and well-being are non-negotiable.
At the end of the day, your health is in your hands. No one else can prioritize it for you. By setting boundaries, you protect your peace. By managing expectations, you create a mindset that supports your well-being. And by raising your standards, you ensure that you live in a way that honors your health, rather than sacrificing it.
I encourage each of you to take a step back and ask yourself: Am I doing what’s best for my health? If the answer is no, then today is the perfect day to start making changes.
Because when you take care of yourself first, you’re not just healthier—you’re happier, stronger, and ready to live the life you deserve.
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