As a natural health practitioner, my focus has always been on how to optimise the health of my clients, as well as my own and that of my family. The more I learn, the more I’m certain that achieving and maintaining good health is not just a New Year’s resolution or the backbone of an inspiring quote. It’s a way of life. Good health and wellbeing is a lifestyle. It’s something that we must choose to do with careful thought and intention.
Sounds like hard work? Not really. At the core of it all, it’s just a matter of identifying your goals and making plans to work towards them. Along the way, the changes that you make in your daily routine to achieve those goals become habits – as long as you do them consistently enough. Before you know it, your lifestyle has changed, permanently and for the better.
We are all different; biologically, psychologically, spiritually. Consider who you are and want you want…
Knowing where to start is the key…
It’s important that you personalise your lifestyle to your likes and dislikes, as well as your own personal values. It’s very easy to watch something on Instagram and try to implement it- seemed like a good idea at the time, right? But if it doesn’t match who you are as a person, it’s never going to work. We are all different; biologically, psychologically, spiritually. Consider who you are and want you want. I like to incorporate the 7 pillars of health (listed below) into my goal planning – it forces me to consider all the different facets of human health and wellbeing.
- Nutrition
- Hydration
- Movement
- Rest
- Relaxation
- Social connection
- Spiritual wellbeing
Think (or write in your journal) about what each of these factors mean to you. What does good nutrition look like? Are you drinking enough water? How many times a week do you exercise? If you’re not sure of the answers to some of these, then try to break it down a little further. What foods make you feel good? Which foods do you avoid and why? What kind of exercise makes you feel energised and happy?
There is no right or wrong answer to these – it’s very personal. This means you can tailor your lifestyle to just what feels right for you!
Make a plan.
Once you have a good idea of what wellbeing means to you, it’s time to implement your plan. Start small; you shouldn’t try to change everything all at once! You could focus on a single pillar at a time – one a month perhaps. Don’t be afraid of trial and error either. If something doesn’t work out the way you planned, don’t be disheartened. Try again with another way. Remember too that even though something has worked for you your whole life, it may not always. For example, endurance running might have been your exercise of choice in your 20’s and 30’s. Once you reach your 40’s, you might need to alter your routine so that you are doing less running but incorporating strength training. This will maintain your cardiovascular health, while promoting muscle and bone density as your body reaches middle-age.
Don’t discount the importance of social connection and spiritual wellbeing. If you’re an introvert, don’t force yourself into social situations that make you feel uncomfortable. Think about who you like to spend time with, maybe just one person, or a small group – and only every now and then. Or connect digitally with groups that share the same hobbies as you. Spiritual wellbeing is even more personal. You don’t have to be a religious person to acknowledge spirituality either. Practising gratitude can be a form of spirituality, as can crystal therapy, or even meditation.
The most important thing to remember is that implementing positive changes to your lifestyle is an investment in your wellbeing and longevity. Good health is something to be valued and protected throughout your entire lifespan.
So, what steps will take to make your wellbeing a priority today?