Last month, we discussed three behaviors to reflect on that can move us forward in our health journeys. You can check that out here if you missed it!

This month, we’re talking about three more behaviors you can start today.  Rest assured, these are not meant to upend your life, but rather they are small tweaks that, over time, will actually have a large effect on your health.  Small steps, when taken consistently, add up to big change. (For more on this topic, check out Aimee Suen and her Small Steps podcast!)

As a reminder from last month, you can look at each of these behaviors through the lens of the diagram below, answering “yes” or “no” according to what you’re already doing. Based on your answer, the diagram will give you the next step(s) to take.

Are you ready?  If so, snag your journal or piece of paper so you can jot down your answers as you think about them.

3 more behaviors (broken down into smaller parts) that will help you live a health-filled life:

1. Planning
   •  Nutrition
     1. I schedule time to make a shopping list and shop for groceries (either online or in person)
     2. I plan ahead for when I will cook or meal prep
   • Movement
     1. I plan out when I will exercise each day (and have a back-up plan in mind for when “life” happens)
   • Money
     1. I plan how I will spend my money so I’m not (unpleasantly!) surprised at the end of each month
   • Rest and rejuvenation
     1. I build in transition time between running from one thing to the next
     2. I keep open space on my calendar for resting and relaxing
     3. I plan specific time to do things (either by myself or with loved ones) that rejuvenate me

2. Social support
   • Time
     1. I make time for relationships, especially top priority ones
   • Help
     1. I ask for help when I need it and offer to help others when I am able and willing
   • Teammates
     1. I have people in my life who are cheering me on to be the best version of myself

3. Spiritual
   • I take time to pray, meditate, journal, reflect, be in nature, be with community, or some other practice to promote the health of my soul
   • I have a place or people I can go to, and/or habits established that cultivate peace of mind and rest from the constant busyness of life

Remember, as you go through each of these, it’s important to pause and celebrate the things you’re already doing.  Well done! Recognize the benefits you’re receiving from incorporating these things into your life and keep it up.  If you’re not already practicing some or all of these things, this is not a cause for shame.  Rather, this is a place to start, and we suggest picking one behavior at a time on which to focus your efforts.  As we said before, small steps, when taken consistently over time, will add up to big change.

As we close out this two-part blog series, we wanted to give you a bonus behavior that will help you live your healthiest life:  seeking professional help.  This can come in an array of forms, from counseling, to chiropractors or physical therapists, to personal trainers, to doctors, to dieticians/nutritionists, and, of course, wellness coaches!

It is never a sign of weakness, rather it is a sign of strength, to ask for professional help when you feel stuck in your progress, or you just want someone who has the tools to help guide you on your health journey.  If you think this would be right for you, take the next step today to get connected with one of these providers.

As always, we would be honored to work with you as your wellness coaches!  Feel free to reach out on our website, Facebook, or Instagram, and we’d be happy to provide you with more details.

Until next time, cheers to making progress on your health journey!

Written by:
Brittni Paris, Wellness Coach & Blogger

 

Photo Credits:
Photo by rishikesh yogpeeth on Unsplash
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Photo by Peter Boccia on Unsplash
Photo by Juan Jose on Unsplash