Inspiring others to live and maintain a healthy lifestyle is my ultimate passion.
I recently attended the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine’s annual conference and was DELIGHTED to discover that what I have been practicing and sharing with my clients and audience for MANY years now is called, LIFESTYLE MEDICINE!
The fact that we are WHOLE and DYNAMIC people with multiple inputs, influences, starting points, histories, biochemistries, environments etc etc cannot be ignored or overlooked when we are working with people on their wellbeing IF we really want to be able to make a difference.
We MUST consider diet and exercise yes, but also:
-sleep
-stress
-social elements/realtionships
-environmental factors
-gut microbiome considerations
-genetic factors
-mindfulness
And so much more…
So if you are on this path to create a happier, healthier life, I encourage you to look beyond JUST diet and exercise.
THAT focus is way too myopic (short-sighted).
We need to zoom out and look at the BIG picture!
One KEY element that I have been reflecting on of late is that of ATTITUDE.
It’s SO easy in this busy and fast-paced world to absorb and take on the attitudes of those all around us.
Unfortunately often, if you look closely, many people have caught less than empowering and beneficial attitudes…
Even I can fall victim to this…
“Im cranky because of ……”
“I don’t feel like (insert positive activity/action) because….”
“It’s not my fault (insert thing that is not their fault) because….”
In short, there is A LOT of pointing fingers, blaming, denying and being AT EFFECT…
In the coaching world, this is called being BELOW THE LINE and the inevitable outcomes and results of being in this zone are increasingly negative (NOT achieving goals, worsening self-esteem, poorer health outcomes, wasted energy, conflict, etc etc).
To add to the SOUP of negativity we can find ourselves immersed in we have 24/7 radio and television broadcasting, as well as countless gossip magazines, endless marketing campaigns (whose whole intention is to activate a sense of DIScontent so that we will BUY), social media highlight reels (everyone is overseas, flawless and happy right?!) and much more.
If we’re honest, there’s a LOT of stuff out there that we are unconsciously absorbing that can, if not brought to the conscious, lead us to this BELOW THE LINE space.
The most life-changing learning (and most challenging I must say!) I’ve had the benefit of being exposed to is that of RESPONSE-ABILITY…
When we really take a look in the mirror and ask “What am I doing in this situation? Who am I BEING? How am I contributing?”, then we really take back our power.
Responsibility is NOT synonymous with FAULT.
The reality is life does NOT always go according to plan…
Unexpected things DO happen…
Things DO go wrong…
People CAN BE unreasonable, mean, unfair, nasty…
The truth is everyone and everything is imperfect…
That’s just how it is.
If we need THINGS to be ok for us to be ok, we are constantly at the mercy of outside circumstances and people…
I’ve learned that the most empowering place I can occupy is the one of “And what CAN I do? How CAN I respond? How can I make the best of this situation?”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BnSrAm5lzDv/?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet
We can ALWAYS choose our response. Always.
And I’m not sure about you, but when I feel like I have a choice, I feel MUCH happier, lighter AND I am more productive, adaptive and innovative!
When I feel helpless and as though things are happening TO me (i.e. AT EFFECT), I feel MISERABLE.
And THAT become the lens through which I see and experience everything else!
I feel HEAVY, and TIRED and UNMOTIVATED. Everything is harder.
How do you feel?
If you think there is some merit in what I’ve shared today, and that you and your health and happiness MAY benefit from an attitude adjustment, go ahead and ask yourself right now…..
“Over the past week/fortnight/past while, how would I rate my attitude out of 10?”
Receive your rating. Would you like to take it up a notch or two (HINT: you will get AWESOME results if you do!)
If your answer is YES, then ask yourself:
“What can I do for the next week to improve my attitude?”
We are all intuitive, wise and clever little monkeys and we will ALL get answers when we pause and ask! 🙂
Do you need to focus on hydration by drinking more water? (Hint: We are all a little cranky when we are DRY and likely CLOGGED)
Would you feel amazing by simply getting up 15-20 minutes earlier to have some “ME TIME”- a peaceful coffee or tea whilst reading some great coaching articles or books, or watching some empowering You Tube Clips, or listening to an epic podcast? Or better yet a WALK whilst you listen or watch?! (Hint: positive and empowering INPUTS = positive and empowering OUTCOMES)
Would it improve your energy levels 10 fold by making sure you get in your 5 serves of VEG EVERYDAY?! (Hint: YES it would! Vitamins and minerals are the KEYS that unlock the energy within our bodies!)
You get the idea 🙂
What 1, 2 or 3 habits can you implement this week to move your attitude ABOVE the LINE to the place where you are moving TOWARDS your goals and feeling GOOD?
I’d LOVE to hear!
Comment below and let me know 🙂
I do love hearing from you 🙂
If you haven’t seen me on Instagram for a while, be sure to check in and seek me out! I LOVE the new stories feature. It’s fun sharing little snippets of my day with you 🙂
There are also LOADS of MEAL PREP ideas in the HIGHLIGHTS section- so check them out and tell me what you are going to try this week!
FACEBOOK is an ever-constant and somewhere I can post interesting, fun, insightful and inspiring extras that I am unable to share anywhere else
Until next time, I sincerely hope this “mini coaching sesh” has enriched your life, health and happiness in some small way!
Any questions ever- simply email [email protected]
Your partner in health, happiness and well-being,
BridgetJane
Mind, Body, Soul Wellness
Dietitian~Counsellor~Eating Psychology Coach
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