There is no perfect time to start making changes
Lots of healthy or positive changes sound like a good idea, but when it actually comes to making a change and taking action, it’s not always that easy, is it?However, usually it IS easy to find are reasons to NOT do things, this is because our brains are instinctively programmed to stick to our familiar, safe, usual routine. Our minds will always give us reasons to not do things… I can’t do that because…“… I don’t have time”“…I’m too busy”“…I don’t have the right kit”“…I’m not fit enough”“…I’m not strong enough”“…I need to lose weight first…”“… I’m not good at that”“…it’s not the right time”“…it’ll be better when…”“…Christmas is coming,…
Focus on the possible
I have spoken to many patients struggling with stress and/or mental health issues since the start of the second lockdown. Many of them have said the same thing to me when I ask them about things they could put in place to help their wellbeing: “usually I would do [x] but I can’t do that now”. For many people, the coping strategies they usually rely on just don’t exist at the moment, it’s different for everyone, but x might be social groups, outings, classes, going to the gym, going to work, visiting family, participating in volunteering – there’s so many different things that people do that contribute to keeping them…
Which way to go?
Which way to go?Trying to work out what to do next? Stuck in indecision? Take a step back and look at the big picture… where is it that you are trying to get to eventually? You might not know exactly what the final outcome will be, especially at the moment with so much uncertainty around. What you can do is identify your key values or priorities and use that to guide your next step to tackle the problem in front of you. At the moment, for me, it seems that there are so many things I could do next in my lifestyle medicine journey. I’ve just passed my diploma, but…
