Please look after yourself – for real.

If you have known me for a while, you’ll know that I’m a huge advocate of being proactive about your health.

Listening to my body saved my life in my 20s.  

It’s why I became a health coach and a proponent of PLAY, or “Please Look After Yourself.”  

I insist my family be proactive about their health by having their annual physical.

Even when you’re feeling “well,” other things can be happening in the body that doesn’t show up unless you look at your blood every year.  

Plus, out-of-the-blue aches and pains, discomfort, or stiffness aren’t normal.

That’s why the word “dis”ease exists! Ignoring those signals hoping they will go away, is a huge mistake.  

Just one month ago, the practice of “listening to your body” just may have saved my husband’s life too. 

When you feel something isn’t right, it’s usually a signal that, well, something isn’t right.

Shawn hadn’t been feeling like himself for a month or so. He had an upset stomach but nothing else. 

On my encouragement, he made an appointment to see a doctor the same week we were about to go on a two-week vacation to celebrate our 30th wedding anniversary.

After some detailed blood tests, never in our minds did we imagine the news he’d receive a few weeks later.

Leukemia. Treatable and curable.  

While the road ahead will be bumpy, he’s got this.  

But what struck me about going through this journey with him reinforces that the most important thing is our health.  

People are busy – I get it – we juggle a lot, and our health is often the first thing to get taken off the to-do list. 

I use the word “play” to mean getting off the couch, having fun and moving. But I also use the word as a reminder to pause and check in.

So, this holiday, make sure to get out and play, but also Please Look After Yourself.

Get your physical, listen to your body, slow down.

“You are your home. Take care of yourself.”

Make 2022 your year of play. Be kind to yourself – promise me you’ll do just that!

xox Coach Jan

P.S. If you are ready to start making some positive changes to your health and want help to find more time to play, I’ve got you!

• Sign up for the free 7 Days of Healthy Habits Course and discover how to learn to build fun and sustainable — yet simple — habits in just one week, no matter how busy or stressful life gets.