With the new year here, resolutions abound. Most resolutions focus on one particular behavior. Instead of focusing on a specific behavior, ask yourself if it is time for a restructure. Looking at yourself from a distance to see the big picture is another way to positively impact your health and wellness. Whether you decide to undertake a complete overhaul or simply tweak a few things, simplifying your approach with a restructure may be a better approach for you.
Restructuring can have a negative connotation. In the corporate world, it can mean things have become so bad that changes are necessary to stay in business. Restructuring for your health shouldn’t have that outlook. From a health perspective some of us, indeed, have many potential changes to “stay in business”. The problem with zoning in on all the different changes that you can (maybe even should) make is how overwhelming it can be.
Eating better, for example, might mean to eat appropriate portions, appropriate food types (in appropriate combinations), and at appropriate times of the day. Thinking of all three aspects of eating better and trying to change all of these at once can be stressful. Instead, step back, and restructure how you approach eating. At meals or at gatherings, reminding yourself to eat better in general will gradually take care of all three of these without obsessing over each individual detail.
Physical activity is another big part of health. What type of activity, how often to do it, and how long each session should last are all part of the equation. The two main types of activity are cardiovascular and strength. Both of these have been studied to the hilt. Both have positive health benefits and both can be performed in many different ways. Breaking down all the ways to perform physical activity and the ways that are best for you can be an intimidating task. Again, stepping back, knowing that it is important, and beginning the process of adding physical activity to your life is simpler. Finding something you enjoy that is active may take some time, but it is out there and you can do it.
Another consideration is emotional health. This encompasses all things from mental stress to personal relationships to everything in between. Many can affect one’s emotional health. Like eating and physical activity, suggestions to improve emotional health are countless. This may be where taking a different approach is the most beneficial. Restructuring your general outlook on life can help silence all the individual stressors. Focusing on each individual thing that causes anxiety is, again, overwhelming and just causes more stress. To borrow from and paraphrase a popular line from the Serenity Prayer… accept the things you cannot change and have the courage to change the things you can. Two things you can control are your reactions and your overall outlook on life. Restructuring your approach to be more positive in general versus allowing every small stressor to affect you will improve emotional health.
The examples above are all about the big picture. Focusing on all the details can make the mind race to the point of giving up. Physical activity, nutrition, and positive emotions are all part of a healthy lifestyle. All of these categories have “how to” subcategories that clutter the main goal of becoming more health conscious. Restructuring your approach by simplifying things may bring success to improving health.
