Remember the last time you were really sick? What were the negative consequences of that illness? Plans were paused or canceled. Your finances suffered. Maybe you pushed through and ended up sicker. You probably struggled emotionally or mentally because of the impact of your body breaking down. I’ve been there, too. Our 6-part wholeness framework begins with physical because of this core truth:
Your body is the basis for your whole life.
Every memory, meeting, and milestone, depends on the state of your body. To expand your influence and impact holistically, physical wholeness isn’t optional. It’s not a luxury—it’s essential. Without your body, you cease to exist. You have one body by which to live your life in all its fullness. Therefore, it’d be wise to focus on how to care for your body.
The 4-Part Framework for Your Body
It is in that order that your body functions to its fullest capacity. Why?
- BREATH is life and impacts every part of your body including your trillions of cells, how your blood pumps through your veins, expels toxins, and maintains your organ, not to mention the impact of emotional regulation and stress management.
- SLEEP is where your body is restored. If you’re not getting at least 7-9 hours/night, you’re headed toward a body breakdown.
- FOOD is fuel and without the proper nutrients, you’ll never function at your fullest potential, but food is also meant to be enjoyed!
- MOVEMENT is how it all comes together. Flexibility, agility, heart health, and muscular strength is increasingly critical as we age.
Stop Trying, Start Training
But here’s the problem. You hear all that and think, “I’ll try harder. Deeper breathing. More sleep, less scrolling. More water, less caffeine. More walking, less sitting.” I’ve tried that, too. (Pun intended.) The problem is that “trying harder” won’t work to increase your physical wholeness. Trying is focused on motivation, willpower, pushing through, and powering up. Trying harder leads toward failure.
You don’t rise to the force of your trying; you fall to the degree of your training.
Small, consistent actions train your body to naturally get valuable results. By shifting your focus to building daily rhythms, you create a foundation for sustainable physical wholeness.
Start With “The Perfect Breath”
To build momentum, start with this basic habit: practice the perfect breath. For the next week, set an alarm on your phone at the beginning of your day to practice The Perfect Breath like this:
- Inhale through your nose for 5.5 seconds
- Exhale through your nose for 5.5 seconds
- Repeat for 2-minutes
This breathing rhythm energizes your body, calms your nervous system, centers your mind, and helps you reconnect with your body.
My Five Favorite Products
I love products that make me work smarter, not harder, and these 5 keep me focused and engaged with my body:
- Apple Watch & Oura Ring: Because of my life’s pace and complexity, I need external devices to help me pay attention to what’s happening in my body. They track over two dozen biometrics including my steps, heart rate, workouts, sleep quality, readiness and activity level. Get $40 off an Oura Ring with my referral link.
- Water Bottle: This 24-oz stainless steel bottle goes everywhere with me! I know I need to drink three of these every day to hit my water intake goals.
- Exercise Subscription: I hate wasting time by going to/from the gym, but I want a variety of workout options depending on how my body is feeling. I’ve used “Bodi” by Beachbody for years and love the diversity of programs.
- Thrive Market: In a season when nutrient dense food and dietary restrictions were essential, this was a lifesaver. Get 40% off your first order with my referral link.
- Vitamin Supplements: It’s almost guaranteed you aren’t getting enough nutrients from your food. These are several specific supplements and brands recommended by my functional medicine doctor that most of us would benefit from. Of course, consult your doctor for targeted supplements.
Your Next Step
Now that you have more clarity on what physical wholeness looks like, download our Physical Guide: Overview & Pro Tips for specific next steps aligned with your goals that you can implement today. If you want a full review of how you’re doing holistically in your life and leadership, purchase our proprietary 120-question Wholeness Assessment. You’ll get immediate, personalized results and practical action steps to help you grow and reach your fullest potential.