What are you pretending not to know?

By Carol Simpson
Chiropractic Assistant
Larsen Family Chiropractic

Unfortunately, it sometimes seems we are the masters of our own self-decline. We know that a low fat diet, exercise, stress relief, regular chiropractic adjustments and adequate rest all help us be at our best. Yet, we regularly sabotage ourselves by not following through with the effort that is required. The workout that was scheduled remains undone, the bottle of water sitting on the desk remains full and the appointment for an adjustment remains un-scheduled. Why do we choose not to do those things that will help us be at a higher level in all areas of our life?

A lot of it has to do with habits. Bad ones. It has been said that a follow through of six months is required to develop a new healthy habit. That doesn’t guarantee that you will always do that habit, but it will ensure that you have a much greater chance of starting that routine again if you happen to stray away from it at one point or another. Give yourself enough time to develop healthy patterns. The old, bad habits didn’t establish themselves over night and neither will the new, good ones.

We need to take ownership of our health and accept the responsibility of improving it. While an enthusiastic friend, a knowledgeable coach and a supportive chiropractor go along way in making your changes attainable, it is only you who can make it happen on a consistent basis. Everyone around you can be a cheerleader but only you can make it happen by deciding it’s time to follow through.

Remember that it isn’t about the destination but about the journey. Find things that you enjoy doing. If you try something and don’t like it, try something else. If you commit to something and find that after giving it an honest effort it doesn’t increase your quality of life, de-commit yourself and move on. Find a chiropractor you really connect with and who will help coach you on your path to wellness.

Be nice to yourself. It’s great to get in 4 workouts a week, drink 2 liters of water a day and see your chiropractor once a month. However, if one of those things gets missed don’t beat yourself up. Acknowledge to yourself that what you did or didn’t do was detrimental to your wellness goals and go forward from there. Each day is always brand new and represents a clean slate.

We pretend that regularly eating a high fat diet won’t affect our heart health or our waistline. We pretend that going months without an adjustment won’t affect our nervous system’s response to added stressors. We pretend that it won’t take years off of our life and quality out of our years by sitting inactive. We pretend that we really don’t need to be involved in our community or that we don’t need ‘down time’ with our families and ‘me time’ with ourselves.

Stop pretending. Being aware of how you think is a huge step towards a higher level of wellness in all dimensions of your life. Recognize if you sometimes get in your own way. Ask yourself “what am I pretending not to know?” and then do something positive about it.

– – – – – – – – – –
Larsen Family Chiropractic
www.docstacy.com