I bought a beautiful white orchid for the caravan about six weeks ago. I remember reading somewhere that orchids didn’t need watering very much and that overwatering was bad for them. So, taking this to extremes, or maybe I had just forgotten, I hadn’t watered it since. I noticed yesterday that the flowers were all wilting and it had lost its shine. I poured some water into the pot.

This morning, the transformation is unbelievable. The flowers are all perky and back to their former glory. All it took was one small cup of water to restore the flowers majesty. I’m struck by how similar my body is.

When I take care of it by eating well, getting enough sleep, not having sweets and fizzy drinks and of course exercising then my body and mind blossom, I feel healthy, fit, optimistic and able to tackle anything.

Conversely, the weeks when I’m stressed or do too much work have a knock-on effect, causing me to eat and drink badly, miss my exercise sessions and generally stop taking care of myself. Like the wilting orchid, the change is dramatic and immediately noticeable in my skin, my eyes, my mood and my general wellbeing.

Are you guilty of this too? Is it work or something else that gets in the way? It is so easy to let all your daily commitments crowd in on your personal time, stopping you from taking care of yourself.

Pampering yourself sounds like a luxury, but I don’t think so. I believe making time for yourself, and your needs are critical to achieving the things you want in your life. If you don’t service your car, first it drives badly and, in the end, it stops working. Your body and mind are the same.

So, today and every day, be clear about the parts of your daily routines that nourish and rejuvenate you. Don’t let anything get in the way of you doing them. Fight for them, mark them out as important, stop letting other things crowd them out.

Keeping your body and mind fit, healthy and strong allows it to deliver the goals and dreams you have. Make a daily commitment to yourself. Long before others believe, you must believe it’s possible.

Remember, we climb the mountain, not in giant leaps but one small step at a time.