It’s never too early or too late to work towards being your healthiest you!
This is the start of National Women’s Health Week and the goal this year is to empower women to make their health a priority. There are always new and different ways we can improve our way of living. The biggest misstep anyone can make is to accept someone else’s version of what “having it all” really means. Don’t try to be anyone else, just make a conscious decision each day to just be you. The key is to keep progressing positively.
Many factors affect your health. Improving your health should include all aspects of your wellbeing: physical, mental and social; getting enough sleep, managing stress, avoid unhealthy behaviors and managing your weight. You may face challenges along the way but forming new habits will help you look and feel better and be more energetic. As the saying goes “old habits die hard,” so changing your habits may involve several stages. The first step in developing your personal plan for change is to figure out how you’re feeling about changing your habits.
The four “stages” of change by NIH:
- Contemplation says “I’m thinking about it.” You’re thinking about change and trying to become more motivated to get started.
- Preparation says “I have made up my mind.” You’re making plans and figuring out specific ideas that will work for you.
- Action says “I have started to make changes.” You’re acting on your plan and making the changes you set out to achieve.
- Maintenance says “I have a new routine.” You have become used to your change and have kept it up for more than 6 months.
Change is always possible, and a person is never too old, out-of-shape, or overweight, to make healthy changes. Achieving optimal health isn’t easy but a well-balanced life is essential for personal effectiveness, peace of mind and healthy living. Plan ahead to avoid setbacks, and if you do have a setback, don’t give up! When you find ways to enrich or change your life, a natural extension of that is to share with others.
What can you do?
- Adjust your lifestyle
- Learn to prioritize
- Learn to pick your battles
- Eat right and exercise
- Practice mindful meditation
- Break up the monotony
- Find daily quiet time
Sometimes our ambitious New Year’s resolutions often turn out to be harder to reach that expected, amidst the fast pace and competing priorities of day-to-day life. But when you create a balanced life, you’ll feel calm, grounded & motivated. A healthy, happy mind contributes to good health.
Resources: Health Tips – the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics
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To Your Success,
Althea
Althea A. McLeish Wilson, RN, MSN
Promoting inner health & outer beauty!
Helping you thrive, not just survive!!
PS. Inner Health & Outer Beauty Store: Health & Wellness with Althea
PPS. Did You Find This Helpful? If so, please feel free to share!! Leave a comment or contact me at althea@altheamcleish.com.
