4 Things I Wish I’d Known When I Started Focusing on Health and Wellness
As an individual, you are familiar with your physical and emotional strengths and challenges. But if you’re also a partner, parent, or caregiver, you need to understand how your strengths and challenges impact those you care for. It may seem that whenever you want to start a new workout program or health eating plan, it seems overwhelming. And when you start taking action to improve your health and wellness, you can easily become discouraged and revert to your former habits. You may wonder why you can’t seem to stay committed, like so many others.
Here’s the truth: the ‘others’ you compare yourself with have experienced their set of challenges and victories along their path to improved wellness, and many may still be struggling.
Every individual who is committed to improving their health and wellness can do so, but on terms and timelines specific to their circumstances and abilities. You can make improvements and achieve your health and wellness goals!
I’ll share with you four things I wish I’d known before I started focusing and health and wellness and help you avoid the frustration that comes with setting and becoming discouraged with your goals. When you grow your understanding and shift your focus, unrealistic expectations don’t exist. You’ll find that you are more inspired and ready to take the action needed to make progress toward your goals.
Responsibility for your health and wellness is yours
You need to assume full responsibility for your health and wellness and be proactive. While the information you receive from your physician and other medical professionals is extremely valuable, you may benefit from supplementing the information they provide with other information. This might involve doing research to better understand a diagnosis or treatment plan. Or exploring preventative or other care options provided by your insurance company or employer. Many communities also have groups focused on health and wellness. The key will be gathering information that is reputable and safe. Responsibility for our health and wellness is ours, it doesn’t reside with medical providers.
Self-care involves taking care of your physical, spiritual, emotional, and social needs
In our fast-paced world, we feel pressure to move faster and get more out of each day. Our attempts to demand more of ourselves often results in high stress and burnout. Decreased productivity and illness can also occur. There’s got to be a better way. That’s where taking ownership and proactive steps to manage our self-care and wellness comes in. According to the Wellness Institute, wellness is defined as the active pursuit of activities, choices, and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health. You position yourself for improved health and a greater level of happiness and satisfaction with your life when you address your physical, spiritual, emotional, and social needs.
You don’t have to be perfect
It’s easy to compare ourselves and our progress with others. Cultural norms and social media encourage comparison and the pursuit of perfection. You should attempt to ignore these aspects and in doing so, you might develop the positive attitude you need to tackle the work you’re undertaking. What matters is taking action consistently and understanding that there may be days when you make a lot of progress and other days when your achievements are limited. Give yourself credit for your commitment and whatever progress you make and remember to avoid comparing yourself with others — there’s no need to post your steps or other activities unless doing so motivates you.
You may need to make a lot of changes (schedules, meals, friends, etc.)
Unless you already make a conscious effort to build health and wellness related activities into each day, you may need to make changes to help you develop new habits to support your goals. Your schedule may need to change to give you more time to workout or participate in meditation or other activities. You may also need more time to plan healthier menus or make meals ahead so you’re not making poor eating choices when you are pressed for time. Your friends may even change as you discover you’re meeting new people as you pursue healthier activities. The new demands on your time needn’t be overwhelming, try using technology and other shortcuts to support your new lifestyle. Planning ahead and strategically using service providers or technology can alleviate any new stress that might develop from your new activities.
When you’re done with this post, try this. Ask yourself, “Are my health and wellness goals realistic?” If you are also a partner/parent/caregiver, give special consideration to how your commitment to others may impact the progress you make as you work toward achieving your goals. This is an important first step in setting goals that you realistically can achieve.
