What kind of gas in the car person are you? Do you fill up at 1/4 tank just in case? Or do you drive until you're on fumes and praying you make it to the next gas station? I usually fill up at 1/4 tank. But on weekends, it's a different story. My hubby drives us on the weekends and he's very much a running on fumes guy. It gives me anxiety but I trust him so...
But because of those weekends, some weeks start like this. Rushing to get to an appointment. Late of course. And I forgot I need gas...so bad in fact that I'm wondering if I'll even make it out of the neighborhood. AND one of my tires is flat. Blah. What a way to start the week!
Today it struck me that putting gas in the car is really metaphorical for self care. Not the self care like doing your nails or getting a haircut. But caring for yourself. Making sure you're healthy for the long haul. And, just like putting gas in the car, there are usually two types of people when it comes to self care. Those who are preventative and those who are reactionary.
What is your usual mode of care? Do you practice preventative care? Things such as clean eating (think very little processed foods). Supplements for health (elderberry, essential oils, probiotics). Exercise. Daily time outdoors in the sun.
Or do you practice reactionary care? Things such as medicine once you are sick. Detox baths once you don't feel well. Doctors appointments for prescriptions.
Neither is right or wrong. But both come with consequences and you have to decide which set of those consequences you're willing to live with. Which type of care do you think will last? Which type will heal your body long term? Which is more time consuming? Which is more of a lifestyle and less of a "thing to do"?
If you think about care this way, preventative care makes sense. You will spend less unwanted time in the doctor's office and less money on medication. You might spend more money on groceries and more time researching healthy options though. You have to decide if you want to life healthily daily or try to fight the sicknesses as they come. With preventative care, for instance, you might eat fruits that are in season locally (they're in season for a reason...your body needs those types of nutrients at that time). You might take elderberry syrup during the flu season. Or up your elderberry during a pandemic (sigh...). You might rub a little Immunity on your soles before you go to a large gathering, travel, or go to school. These things all KEEP you from getting sick.
If you do want to live preventatively, we'd love to help! We love partnering with our customers to talk about their care. What do they want to improve? Grow in? Change? If this sounds like you, comment below and we'll reach out to chat!
And in the meantime, grab some Immunity for the one of the best types of preventative care available!
Rachel Bartels
Author