Why Don't We Take Better Care of Ourselves?
Seriously. We get our hair cut every 6 weeks, change the filters in our water systems every time the red light comes on, change the oil every 3000 miles, pressure wash our decks, rotate our tires. We take better care of our stuff than of ourselves
Taking care of our health and wellness is crucial to lead a happy and fulfilling life.
But, despite knowing its importance, many of us find it difficult to get off the couch and take a walk, hit the gym, or seek the help of a health professional.
Let us explore the reasons why this is so and provide tips on how to overcome them.
Our Brain is Wired that Way:
Our brains are wired to be efficient and follow predictable patterns of behavior. As a result, the more we engage in certain behaviors, the harder it becomes to change them. For example, sitting at a desk for 8 hours a day may become a habit that is difficult to break.
The Laws of Physics:
According to the laws of physics, a body at rest remains at rest unless acted upon by an outside force. Our brains are no exception to this, and they will not use energy unless it is necessary. This means that an external force is needed to motivate us to take action, such as a health scare or a major event in our lives.
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Scary Stories We Tell Ourselves:
Humans are storytellers, and often, the stories we tell ourselves about our health and fitness are not necessarily true. For example, we may ask ourselves questions like, "What if I fail?" or "What if I lose all my friends?" These negative thoughts can keep us from taking action.
Fitness is a Service, but the Work Must be Done by You:
Getting fit and healthy requires a personal commitment. While fitness and health services are available, they are not performed for you. You must take the initiative to make changes and have clarity about what you need and how to get it.
Health Can Decline Silently:
Many chronic conditions, such as heart disease and Type 2 diabetes, can develop over 12-15 years of poor health choices. By the time these conditions become apparent, it may be too late to take action.
Past Failures Can Make it Harder to Try Again:
If you have tried to get fit and healthy in the past but have not been successful, it can make it even harder to try again. However, it is important to remember that failures are normal and that on average, it takes 7 attempts before success.
Taking care of our health and wellness is a lifetime commitment. It may be difficult to change, but it is possible. Start by training your brain to adopt new patterns, and focus on the change you want to see. If you need help, seek the assistance of a health professional. The key is to change your story, focus on your goals, and take action.
Frequently asked questions :
1. Why is it difficult to get off the couch and exercise?
Our brains are wired to follow predictable patterns of behavior and will not use energy unless it is necessary. An external force is needed to motivate us to take action, such as a health scare or a major event in our lives.
2. What are the negative thoughts that can stop us from taking action?
We may tell ourselves scary stories about our health and fitness, such as "What if I fail?" or "What if I lose all my friends?" These negative thoughts can keep us from taking action.
3. What does it take to get fit and healthy?
Getting fit and healthy requires a personal commitment. While fitness and health services are available, they are not performed for you. You must take the initiative to make changes and have clarity about what you need and how to get it.
Source: EzineArticles.com