Healthy Thoughts by Dr. Helena

AWARENESS

Posted: January 23, 2019
By: Dr. Helena

For the last few months, I have been going through every closet and drawer in our house.  I am not manic about it by any means.  I go where inspiration strikes me, like “What is in the guest room dresser drawers?”  I open them up one by one and either add stuff to the Goodwill pile or put it where it might actually belong or become aware that we have this particular item so we don’t buy another one.  In most drawers there is excess and possibly things another person could use.  As humans we accumulate stuff.  When the stuff becomes clutter, it frustrates me and I feel overwhelmed by it.  I do enjoy finding new homes for things and it feels good to get fresh air into a previously cluttered drawer or closet. 

Awareness of our surroundings is important.  But what about awareness of our bodies?  Most often our body gets ignored, because we are afraid to step on that scale and then be responsible for what we see there.  I find the human ego is very interesting.  I people watch all the time.  The ego says, “If I actually knew what my current weight was, and didn’t like it, I would have to become responsible to my health to change it.”  That is just too painful, so we will just avoid it altogether. 

It is hard to get back to exercising, because if you stopped and you decide to start again, you most likely won’t have the same strength or endurance you had before.  That loss can make one feel like a failure, so we just avoid exercising altogether.

We truly need to start just becoming aware for the sake of awareness and not place any emotions to it.  It is just a start point. Period. If we want to change our weight, our endurance, our strength or our environment, we need to start somewhere.  I challenge you to start with the junk drawer in your house.  Empty it.  Throw out garbage, make a goodwill bag and put back what you need so you can find it when you need it.  I challenge you to get on that scale.  Write down the weight and take your measurements.  Look in the mirror and tell yourself you are beautiful and commit to changing those numbers if you feel they need changing.  Don’t be manic about it.  Don’t harbor negative feelings towards yourself.  Just get up and start moving because it’s good for you.

On January 1st, I pulled my Fitbit out of my drawer, charged it and put it on.  I wasn’t sure I wanted to record what I ate each day and how much water I drank.  But in truth it brought forth awareness of what I was doing.  Since I have to check in with the computer each day, it also helped to create responsibility.  What am I putting in my mouth each day? Does that allow me to thrive? Or is it making me sick?  Is it helping me reach my goals? Or is it counterproductive?  What are your goals? You can’t change if you don’t know where you’re going.  Commit to change this year. Commit to being a better you.  It helps me to have goals on my Fitbit for how many steps I took today; how many staircases did I climb, and how many times did I exercise this week?  How are my stats this week compared to last?  We all have a little competitive side.  Why not compete to make yourself better?

The treatment plans we lay out for you at the office work.  Why not commit yourself to that plan to get the most out of your care in our office? Commit to coming to our health talk so you are fully engaged in your healing.  There is such a difference in the outcome of those that commit to themselves versus those that don’t.  We, the Chiropractors at BFC, will NEVER quit on you.  We always see opportunity and potential regardless of age or past history.  Sadly some people quit on themselves and never give themselves a chance for a better life.  But those that commit, get a life back they often didn’t think was possible!  And there is nothing better than that. 

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