Hey there friends…
Welcome back for another Wellness Wednesday. Last week I introduced the direction we’re going to go; exploring what wellness is by breaking down the Seven Dimensions of Wellness. That is, Social, Physical, Emotional, Intellectual, Spiritual, Environmental and Occupational.
But I’ve decided we need to hit the pause button, because before we go any further we should discuss a couple of possible humps. First, we must be willing to work on the areas of our wellness that we may show some resistance toward.
If you’re reading this blog, you’ve probably already moved past Pre-contemplation, which is lack of motivation and willingness to change, and are now somewhere between the phases of Contemplation and Preparation, which is awesome! Give yourself a high-five for that.
Now you’re considering and maybe even ready to dive deeper. It’s time to take the big leap and fully commit to the next three steps; Preparation, Action and Maintenance. In the wellness world, we call these five steps the Stages of Change (see the model below).
https://www.prochange.com/transtheoretical-model-of-behavior-change
Preparation is the stage where you have decided to make a change and you’re ready to learn more about how you can put that information into action. Maybe it means you’re ready to join a gym, eat healthier, engage in a spiritual practice, etc. We’ll go into much more detail on this in the upcoming weeks as we pick apart the Seven Dimensions of Wellness.
The Preparation stage is going to require some work on both of our ends because it’s where the realization of what needs to change occurs. And it’s important to recognize there may be some emotional triggers that come up as you move from Preparation to Action.
Acknowledging our fears and stepping into them from a place of vulnerability and courage is not an easy task. Noticing our weaknesses, the areas that require more effort and attention, is a vulnerable thing to do, and it doesn’t feel all that great. But it is necessary. It takes a very strong and courageous person to notice one’s weaknesses and do something about it, knowing there is a high reward on the other side. It might require breaking a habit, distancing yourself from an unhealthy environment or making serious life changes that seem highly risky.
That’s why we’ll take it one small step at a time. The ultimate goal is to get to that final stage with lasting results. We call this the Maintenance Stage. It is most important to move slowly and consciously through each area you’re wanting to change if your goal is to maintain it.
Take this next week to contemplate on fear. Are there small, less risky things you can do in your day or week that allow you to practice stepping into fear? Try to familiarize yourself with this feeling so you can build your confidence. Remember and know that you have the power and control to overcome the things that scare you.
Maybe you’ve been too afraid to take a Zumba class because you think you’re uncoordinated and you don’t want to make a fool of yourself. Or maybe you’re afraid to put down your phone for a few hours to take a walk in nature because you think you’ll miss out. Choose one or more small, risk free fears, and take a step toward them.
Remember, we’re moving slowly in order to make lasting changes. Remain calm and confident as you address these less risky fears, so when the big fears come up, you’ll have the tools you need to overcome them mindfully.
Thank you for tuning in for Wellness Wednesday. I’m so excited for you as you advance on your fearless journey and I can’t wait to see you here next week!
Namaste,
Kristin