For the last month, I have been focusing on improving my health. For those who don’t know, I developed shingles several weeks ago. Once you have chickenpox, the virus remains in your body – essentially asleep. In general, it is the weakness of your immune system that can give shingles a path to resurface. Stress, lack of quality sleep, and nutrient deficiencies are a few areas that can contribute to your immune system weakening. Although I feel like I get as many quality hours of sleep every night, eat a balanced and colorful diet, manage stress with breathwork, and adhere to a healthy work/life balance, there is room for improvement.
As a Dad, and small business owner, the everyday pressure to fit it all in is a constant battle. Convenience often overrules quality, which can creep up without even noticing it. So I took a good look at my diet and realized that the colors had faded. I took a look at my sleep patterns (Oura Ring) and realized that I have been more restless than usual. The surface-level stress is easier to spot. Like millions of others, I am learning that growing a business is a difficult journey. Deep down, I feel a bit of sadness that I haven’t acknowledged or have been truthful with myself. I realized that I wasn’t spending as much quality time with my family as I had hoped for. I wholeheartedly believe that the source of our anxiety and deeper levels of stress are not a factor of being overwhelmed with daily to-do’s, but more so from not doing enough of the things we genuinely love.
So for the last few weeks, I have been recovering, finding balance, and filling my cup. I already feel a million times better. I’ve started exercising again a few days ago and am easing back into it. My team has stepped up to meet and exceed the expectations of our Champ City Community members. My wife has been incredibly supportive. I am looking forward to reading messages and engaging in social media soon. I do miss that.
In the end, this has been a wake-up call for me. I have come to realize that everything might appear to be okay, but no one is capable of carrying a load that an unhealthy foundation supports – at least not sustainably. Without developing shingles, I may have found myself in a deeper hole to dig out off. More than anything else in the world, I look forward to the laughs and playtime with my family, no matter the short-term cost.
Take care of yourself, friends. On the inside and out.
With gratitude,
E
