Big-picture health: mindset
The following is the second installment of Dr Dunn’s series on big-picture health issues you can work on yourself. Enjoy!
Mindset
What we think fuels our behavior, just like what we eat fuels our bodies. Half of our success in maintaining a healthy lifestyle is just maintaining a well-balanced mindset. Sheer determination, tenacity, and willpower are helpful when trying to implement some sort of change, but it isn’t enough for sustainable, long-term changes. We need something other than just the “powering through” mentality, which I have often learned the hard way as perhaps you have as well.
Setting your mind to what you want to accomplish and believing that you can accomplish it, making the new goal manageable, not beating yourself up when you miss a day or fall off of your routine, being more flexible and less rigid, being more compassionate with yourself, will all pay off.
The way we think about our ourselves—the thoughts that habitually go through our minds—have a lasting impact. So, why not develop a habit that feeds you instead of drains you? Do you have attachment to old patterns and habits that no longer serve you? Why not take the leap and approach life in a new and constructive way? Enter the summer with a new vision, new tools, and a lasting approach.
1. Make One Change at a Time
Avoid making a bunch of changes at once or a really big change at once. Break the change(s) down to their most simple element so that they are manageable and so that you aren’t overwhelmed by it. Aim (but remember to be flexible) for doing this one exercise, meditation, or other change at the same time every day. Then, when you are ready increase the duration (exercising, meditating) or tighten up your diet (add a salad, reduce sugar, etc.).
2. Keep it Short
Avoid overcommitting to your change. I find clients think they need to meditate for 20 minutes/day or exercise 45–60 minutes for it to be effective. But, honestly, this is just not manageable for most people. It can be so overwhelming that the commitment is a barrier to accomplishing anything and then you throw in the towel, so to speak. One minute of meditation is better than none. Five minutes of exercise is better than none. Then, when you are ready to increase the time, go for it.
3. Keep it Simple
Keep your new habit simple in the beginning and know it will evolve as you are in a consistent routine. Whether this is changing your diet, integrating exercise, meditating, or something else. Start with the most basic element, make that a habit and then you can take on more.
4. Accountability Buddy
This could be a quick check-in with a friend or family member over the phone or text. Or maybe you have someone who will participate with you, like an exercise buddy. I have had so many clients benefit from this and found in addition to it helping them stay consistent, it also was a good way to stay connected to friends or deepen their relationship with colleagues.
5. Be Gentle & Flexible With Yourself
Being rigid or hard on yourself can lead to failure. So, be gentle and kind and flexible. If your new habit doesn’t happen, just move on and aim for integrating it the next day. If it isn’t as good as you were hoping, remind yourself that you made some good initial steps of integrating it into your daily routine. Keep moving forward.
Not only will this help you feel better, but it will help with your outlook on life, help with the way you treat your family, friends, and community. Make the time-frame doable. Avoid overcommitting. Dig in when you are ready and keep it simple.
You can follow Dr. Maureen Dunn on FaceBook or Instagram. If you are interested in finding out how she can help you, schedule a free 15-minute discovery call here. Maureen practices at CLINIC on Fridays 9am- 5pm.