What’s the most important thing you can do for your health?

I had a coaching session earlier this week, and my client asked me this exact question.

My answer?

Be mindful.
Be aware in the moment.
Be conscious of the decisions you're making.

Because here’s the truth:

Our health is shaped by the thousands of tiny choices we make each week.

Each decision—what you eat, how you move, when you rest, what you prioritize—has the power to move you toward greater health or nudge you back toward illness.

One helpful visual I often share is the Illness–Wellness Continuum, developed by Dr. John Travis back in the 1970s. It’s a simple model, but incredibly powerful.

If there’s one thing I’ve discovered in my own health journey, it’s that mindset is the cornerstone of creating our best self.

It’s where I begin with every client in my Creating Your Owner’s Manual for Health course—before diving into the specifics of nutrition, exercise, sleep, and stress.

Why? Because our thoughts shape our reality. And by tuning into our bodies and minds, we can uncover what truly nourishes us.

Paying attention to how we feel— whether energetic, sluggish, happy, or stressed—provides clues about what works, for each of us. This self-awareness empowers us to experiment with different lifestyle factors.

Additionally, being mindful in the moment enables us to make better decisions. By considering our options with clarity and intention, we can choose actions that align with our overall health goals.

Most of us know E.B. White as a prominent children’s author, famous for Charlotte’s Web, Stuart Little, and The Trumpet of the Swan. However, he was also a prolific essayist, spending his career writing for The New Yorker magazine.

As I sit with his book, I realize it is ripe with meaning and applicability to today’s world. His writings from the pre-WWI and WWII eras are so relevant to today. They remind us of the importance of holding onto the vision of what this country means to us all—especially our freedoms.

In the tapestry of freedom woven by our forefathers, the threads of individuality intertwine with the strength of shared purpose. We cherish the right to forge our own paths, to think for ourselves, and to make choices that shape our lives.