The first step to better health

Want to become healthier? Have more energy? Look and feel better? Great! Me too!

Health, like many things, is a journey. So how to begin? What is the essential first step for making changes that will last?

Self-compassion.

I know half of you have probably already clicked to something else. If you are still reading, maybe you are thinking this is the name of a new weight loss diet.

But really… I am serious. Self-compassion is essential before you even begin to make changes. “Why?” you ask?

We live in a world that systematically drives us towards sickness with chronic stress and an unhealthy food environment.

More and more to do

As we strive to achieve our goals and do our best for our family, we typically get caught up in the push to do more and more and more. More promotions, more projects, more money, more stuff. This inevitably means that our bodies are in chronic stress, and we know that this contributes to problems ranging from constant headaches to chronic diseases. Compounding the issue, self-care is usually the first thing to get marginalized in our busy lives.

More and more to eat

We also live in an environment that is constantly pushing food on us with little to no nutritional value, but that is highly palatable, e.g. it’s yummy. And when we are stressed, we are more susceptible to these temptations.

There are pastries staring at us when we get our morning coffee. We walk by rows and rows of snacks at the grocery store. We pass by fast food restaurants. Somebody is always having a birthday at work with the obligatory cake party. We might have cookies or crisps at home that our partner bought – or that we bought. The server at the restaurant might be pushing the Buffalo wings or chocolate lava cake. Your friend suggests a second beer or glass of wine. The ad on TV assures us that pizza will make our life complete.

 We are faced with temptations all day on top of a non-stop life.

At some point something has got to give. Often it’s the box of cookies at the end of the day or the half a bottle of wine. (Or both… I know you are out there!)

More and more compassion

Yes, there are changes in diet, habits, exercise, sleep, stress management, etc. that we have to work on to move towards better health.

But we need to start with self-compassion.

Acknowledge that you deserve to be healthier. It’s good and right for you to prioritize your health. And rather than take away from your family or work, it will benefit them.

Understand that there is no such thing as perfect. When you back track or take a side step, don’t beat yourself up. And don’t give up on yourself.

Be compassionate with yourself.

It’s not a simple step, but it is an essential one.