Change. Why is it that mother nature is able to transition in such a graceful and beautiful way when it is often such a struggle for us?
Change is one of the few constants in life, and it can be incredibly hard to cope with, especially as we settle more and more into our daily habits and routines.
Personally, I like change, and often find myself getting bored when things become too predictable or routine. However, I’ve also experienced times in my life when I’ve found change to be incredibly difficult. One of the more challenging changes for me was when I took the leap from practicing “big system medicine” to opening a personalized solo practice a few short years ago. It certainly wasn’t’ that I didn’t want change…for years, I desperately longed for things to change in my job. But it was the fear of the unknown that kept me practicing medicine in the same dysfunctional system long after I was sure I was not doing my patients half the amount of good I could be doing if I was able to practice medicine differently. My job was familiar and secure, and that was enough to keep me there for much longer than I should have stayed.
“Let’s face it: as humans, the comfortable and the known are just plain difficult to deviate from.”
Often, it is easier to just do the same things that we’ve been doing, even though we know it isn’t necessarily the best or the most healthy option. Let’s face it: as humans, the comfortable and the known are just plain difficult to deviate from. I recognize this sense of inertia in myself, and also in my patients. And I have found that most people know what they need to do in order to live healthy, productive lives, but actually doing these things is a whole separate issue. Here are four pieces of wisdom I’ve picked up throughout the years:
- Motivation. People are often motivated by big health events to make important changes to their lifestyle; this could be pregnancy, the birth of a child, or a new diagnosis. I encourage people not to wait until their body tells them it’s time to make a change! An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
- Encouragement and accountability. A little of each can go a long way. Encouragement and accountability can take many different forms, such as having an exercise partner to help motivate you on the days when you would rather sleep in, or agreeing on a specific health or life goal and a time frame to accomplish that goal with your friend, co-workers, health coach, or doctor. Having someone to answer to is sometimes that little push that we need to continue keeping up with good habits and goal-oriented progress.
- Small, sustainable daily changes. Small changes to daily routine are more sustainable than large shifts. I’ve seen a lot of people make an extreme dietary change or take on an intense exercise commitment, only to “fall off the wagon” or injure themselves a few months in. I encourage people to go slow, changing one small habit at a time and waiting until that habit “sticks” before making additional changes. This can be taking a walk every evening instead of watching that TV show, drinking water instead of a caffeinated or sweetened beverage, or passing up the packaged snacks in the grocery store. The reality is, most health issues are caused by hundreds of small choices that we make every single day. Making one small change often has an exponential effect over time.
- Find an excuse or find a way. There will always seem to be something more pressing than taking time out of your day for a short meditation, fitting in a workout, or sitting down to write out your goals. The reality is, unless you make your health and goals a priority, other things will always take precedence. Don’t let life just happen to you. Take control of it and make it your best life. After all, you only get one!
Now that I am well on the other side of what seemed like an insurmountable change, all I can think is “why didn’t I do this sooner‽” Not only have I been invigorated by this change, but I have also been able to have a much larger impact on other peoples’ lives and health because of it. One of my favorite fortune cookie messages (silly, I know, but hey, I’ll take wisdom in whatever form I can get it!) I’ve ever opened read “If your dreams don’t scare you, they’re not big enough.” I try to remind myself of that fortune whenever I start feeling paralyzed with fear. Whether it is fear of the unknown or fear of failure, I don’t ever want to look back and realize that fear is what kept me from achieving any goal.
“Yoga is the one form of exercise that I encourage all of my patients to try as I feel that absolutely everyone can benefit from its effects.”
When I was dreaming up my new medical practice, I envisioned having a space in which to practice yoga with my patients. I have been practicing yoga in Charlotte for over 15 years, and this is one habit I certainly hope I never have to change! Yoga is the one form of exercise that I encourage all of my patients to try as I feel that absolutely everyone can benefit from its effects. Yoga packs such a punch into one hour. What other activity works on core strength, flexibility, balance, breath, relaxation, and the powerful mind-body connection all at the same time? The benefits of yoga come in the form of many health improvements, such as improved muscle tone, energy, balance, cardiovascular health, blood pressure, immune function, mood, blood sugar, and sleep. I could go on and on with this list. I know I’m preaching to the choir here, so I’ll stop now. I am delighted to get to know the Be Yoga community, and I appreciate Cara for inviting me into this space.
In good health,
Stacey Searson MD
The Art of Health
1902 East Blvd.
Charlotte, NC 28203
(704)537-5471