The top 5 most important things in your life

19 Apr The top 5 most important things in your life

Sometimes you need to take some time out and think about what really matters to you in life.

This will often change, depending on what stage of life we are at, but the top 5 I have listed, are important no matter how young or old you are.

Most of these items aren’t standalone, they interact and work together. But they all go towards having a happy, healthy and meaningful life (something we all want).

One thing which won’t appear on my list is work. Why? Work is important, we must contribute to society in some way and we need to earn money to survive in life. However when work takes over your life, and starts to affect your health, mental well-being and relationships, then maybe it is time to revaluate whether your job should take such a high priority over everything else.

1 Health and fitness

Of course being a personal trainer, there was no surprise this was going to be top of my list!

We have probably all used that saying when things are not going well in someone’s life – “well at least you have your health”.

But this throwaway line is why I always say good health and fitness is by far and away THE number one thing you must have in your life.

It is one area we take for granted but poor health impacts every area of your life. When you have a chronic disease, illness or even just the flu, everything else takes a backseat. All you want to do is feel better again. It is then when you realise just how important your health is.

This is why regular exercise, eating well, and getting a good night’s sleep is crucial in ensuring you keep your health in the shape of your life.

2. Family, friends and friendship

We all want to be loved, after all we are human beings. Companionship and healthy relationships are so crucial to all of us.

Good friends and family will be there for you when things get tough, build your confidence, give us emotional support, provide advice and encourage you to do your best. They are worth their weight in gold.

Toxic relationships do the exact opposite – these people make you feel unhappy, don’t support you, and make you feel everything wrong is your fault. My advice, get rid of these people – the sooner the better (no matter how long you have been friends for)!

It is far better to have a few friends who have you in their corner than a whole heap of fair-weather friends who won’t be there for you when you really need them.

3. Faith

Faith gives you that inner strength – it frames who we are – our existence, values, hopes and dreams.

It is not only important to everyday life, but it is an essential component to our humanity.

A strong sense of faith will give you higher optimism, external control, and greater self-esteem.

4. Mental health

Mental health has become such a huge issue in Australia, with over two in every five Australians aged 16 to 85 years having experienced a mental health issue sometime in their life.

This could range from anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, trauma or depression.

There are many ways mental illnesses can be prevented such as support from family and friends, having a strong sense of identity, reducing stress wherever possible and getting help when needed.

Our mental strength helps us to resist being derailed by negative thoughts. It helps us get back into the ups and downs of life day after day. Like physical strength, it’s a like a muscle we can develop and strengthen to improve our overall well-being.

5. Skills, learning and knowledge

My first point was the importance of regular exercise for the body, but this applies equally to the mind.

I have always thought throughout life, you should learn new skills, go to different places, and try things you may have never experienced before.

Learning new skills is exciting, rewarding, and can lead to new opportunities and experiences. It can also do wonders for your career, increases your adaptability and keeps you ahead of the competition.

Not only this, keeping mentally challenged can help with your long-term memory, helps your brain and help the fight against dementia.

Remember life is all about different experiences and this helps us grow as better human beings.