Having a healthy life takes work. Energy and vitality may be have been a God given fact when we were young, but as we get older, we are often shocked to realize the aging process is just as true for us as it was for our parents. We start to feel aches and pains, develop chronic complaints, diseases, have less stamina to keep up with the grandchildren, forget things, and lose stuff.
There is nothing about having a healthy lifestyle that we have not already heard, read about, or tried periodically. We all know about the benefits of exercise, maintaining a healthy weight, eating whole foods, and the importance of managing our stress. We read it on the cover of thousands of magazines, hear it on TV, go to workshops, support groups, and hire trainers.
Despite all the media hype, our culture doesn't really support health. Our medical model is more likely to result in a prescription for a pill rather than a lifestyle program. Our children are obese. They don't play outside like most of us did as kids, recreational time is cut in schools, and free time is spent in front of a computer, TV, or Xbox. They are driven instead of riding their bikes or walking to a friend's house or school, because the world "doesn't feel safe." Fast foods and convenience options are taken for granted. Our palates have been hijacked and we've been brainwashed into thinking that eating chicken nuggets is a healthy choice because it's chicken and not a quarter pounder. Or that it is too expensive to eat healthy foods all together.
Let's look at some common excuses why we don't make choices to live a healthy lifestyle:
Unhappy
We have to start with mental health. When depressed, anxious, or struggling with any mental illness, even ADD or ADHD, it is impossible to stay the course or focus on self-care. If we are in life situations that aren't loving, respectful or caring, we need to take action to change these situations.
Get help, find a therapist, go on medication if you need it, and deal with past and present traumas. Let in the concept that you have a RIGHT to be happy. One has to love oneself to WANT to do self-care.
Too Lazy
We become complacent in our habits, making excuses, procrastinating and putting everything and everyone else before our own self-care. We take for granted our health and vitality and ignore the fact that we need to do the work of maintaining our strength and vigor. We deny the dangers of our lifestyle choices, somehow thinking disease and deterioration will never happen to us.
Take pleasure in taking care of yourself, feeling the joy of jumping out of bed with no aches and pains, and having energy all day.
Perfectionist - (another name for procrastinator)
Those who view life through the lens of perfection can find it extremely difficult to even try to make the changes necessary to cultivate a healthy life. They lack the motivation because the goal of change seems as if it can never be perfectly achieved; there is a lack of belief in oneself that goals will ever be met, so one is easily discouraged, disheartened or pessimistic that efforts will pay off. A person may feel that they are never good enough and whatever they are trying to improve won't happen to them. They can feel overly guilty if they cheat or miss a day. Setting a goal to mediate, exercise or "eat perfectly" is a sure way to fail.
Learn that life is not perfect and there are no perfect goals to achieve. Living a healthy life is a practice, something you do that is positive in the moment, and has an accumulative affirming effect on your life moving forward.
Bad Habits
When we do anything consistently, it becomes an almost involuntary response. People spend countless hours and dollars every year attempting to break their bad habits, often with little success. There is no magic bullet. Change is hard and takes work to achieve. We develop bad habits because they fulfill some need. We need to find alternative. healthy actions that satisfy these needs and fulfill us.
First we have to become conscious of what we are doing. One way to increase awareness is to do an experiment by completely abstaining for, let's say one week, from whatever bad habit you have identified. For example, if you are struggling with your weight, and have a habit of snacking after dinner until you go to sleep, abstain from eating anything at all after your evening meal for one week. Pay close attention to your thoughts, feelings and discomfort. Journal and reflect what's coming up as you consciously choose to not meet those needs. Become conscious of what drives your bad habits. Once you are conscious you can choose if you want to change or not.
Too Busy
It's just too easy to be distracted and get caught up in the day-to-day activities of life. Anything, everything else feels more important than attending to ourselves. We are not use to putting our self first. It feels selfish to carve out time to exercise daily, or sit quietly in meditation or take the time to market and prepare whole foods.
Figure out how and when to fit cardio and strength training exercise into your day. Schedule it. We are all victims of habit. Make an "exercise habit." Do it without exception. Book it into your schedule, non-negotiable.
It's not only okay, but imperative that we learn how to be "healthy selfish." When we take care of ourselves, we have the resources and incentive to be active in the world. We feel good about ourselves and have balance in our life.
Looking at the consequences of choices helps mold good habits. To get to work or school on time you have to get up earlier. If you get home late, you might choose to eat a lighter meal before going to sleep. Modify your specific life situation to facilitate good choices for you and your lifestyle. The most important thing we need to do is SLOW DOWN and be present with ourselves. Feel what we feel. Go from there.
Too Tired
It's a vicious and ironic cycle. Feeling lethargic, depressed and unmotivated, we are not inclined to do any of the activities that can increase our energy. It is important to have a physical and make sure thyroid, adrenal, hormone, and vitamin D levels are within the normal range. Once medical issues are eliminated, it's time to start a wellness protocol.
Pick one new activity to add that will begin to convert your lifestyle. Go for a walk everyday, start a meditation practice, take processed or white foods out of your diet, start drinking green tea and more water. Force it. Don't let your negative self-talk or lack of motivation get the best of you. Even if you don't believe it, treat yourself like you are the most precious, beautiful being in the world. Nurture, love and care for yourself into the best of life.
Skepticism
Some people actually don't believe in the mind/body connection. They believe science and medicine have the ability to conquer whatever failure or break down the body encounters. We replace joints and body parts. Instead of understanding and honoring the fact that our body uses symptoms to signal us that something is wrong with what we're doing, we try to medicate the symptom away. We cut out, cut off, and disassociate from any responsibility we might have to take care of our mind, brain, body and spirit.
We forget that it is our job to take care of ourselves. We are here to be an embodiment of health and goodness. If we want that in the world, we have to live in that space, starting with ourselves.
Oblivion There are those who honestly don't know any differently. They are not concerned, nor do they even question what's going on around them. They follow the patterns and behaviors taught by their culture and parents, without question. Perhaps it's denial, or just a lack of interest, but they fail to recognize the cause and effect between lifestyle choices and morbidity, (the occurrence of disease).
When you look at what you're doing inside, and how you treat your self, you'll become aware of what you are contributing to the world. Take responsibility for your own mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. Then you will be empowered to be a healing source to others.
Start now - it begins with the decision to change from your old unconscious habits, to consciously practicing good health, and making it a lifestyle.
No More Excuses!
"Health is the thing that makes you feel that NOW is the best time of year."
Franklin P. Adams
If you want to learn more about tools and techniques to get on the Path of Wellness check out: http://bit.ly/j0i1iq.
Upon receiving a diagnosis of life-threatening cancer in her early 20's, Pamela Holtzman realized that her health could not be taken for granted. She began an in-depth study of the various components of daily living that would enable her to achieve and maintain her goal of having a healthy lifestyle. Pamela has learned how to listen to and care for her body through healthy eating, daily meditation, and regular exercise and the experience of her early life crisis. She shares her knowledge with others so they, too, can experience a more balanced and happy life. A Certified Wellness Practitioner (CWP), Pamela began her professional life as a registered nurse, caring for patients in hospice. She has spent the majority of her 25-year career as a psychotherapist and personal care advocate, providing professional services to individuals, couples, and groups.
沒有留言:
張貼留言