What Makes You Healthy?
The 10 Aspects That Actually Makeup What “Being Healthy” is: The Number on The Scale is Not That Important
When we think about our health, for most of us, the first thing we think about is our weight, which we believe determines our level of health. It is typically the first metric we use to assess or give it the highest level of importance.
According to the World Health Organization, Wellness is "the state of complete physical, mental, and social wellbeing, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Wellness is multi-dimensional and a moving target we constantly pursue because it is always ever-changing and evolving.
A diet mentality is fueled by rules and restrictions based on "shoulds" and thoughts shaped and reinforced by diet culture. If we get to this goal weight, we think, I will be healthy and happy. From personal and professional experience, I know this is not the whole picture or the truth.
Many of us don't know that wellness is a choice, will look different for all of us, and is an active process. Health doesn't happen when we hit a number on the scale and then magic; we are happy and healthy from the inside out. We don't "arrive" and stay there.
Wellness is comprised of many bodies, and for optimal "health," balance is the key to success.
We are so many bodies:
Physical: A "healthy" body and access to health care
Mental: Alert, focused, competent, thoughtful, ability to learn and problem solve
Emotional: I can feel a full range of emotions and can self-regulate most of the time
Social: A supportive network and be at ease; I belong
Intellectual: Are curious, have an open mind, and continue to learn and grow
Spiritual: A set of values that help us find meaning and purpose
Environmental: What's around me supports my health and wellbeing
Financial: I feel secure that I can take care of myself in the present and future
Existential: I feel a sense of meaning and purpose
Occupational: You find joy and meaning in your contributions
When one or more of these bodies is off, many of us notice that we feel stressed, overeat, perhaps have gained weight, or feel out of control with our food. Simply put, food is a messenger that you have unmet needs somewhere in one of your bodies.
The next time you reach for food and feel out of control, take a minute and pause. Ask yourself what you are feeling. We typically use the bucket word "stress." It has become our default for almost all of our negative emotions.
This time, dig a little deeper; perhaps you feel spent, hopeless, sad, furious, frightened, exhausted, discouraged, ashamed, or lonely. Stressed may be the condition, but it does not pinpoint the actual emotion. (If you need help finding other words to express your feelings, you can use the Hoffman Feeling List.
Once you can better identify that feeling, the next step is connecting with the why, what has you spinning, feeling "x," and asking yourself whether food will support you in resolving your negative thoughts or emotions or what will actually support you.
A shift in perspective about your relationship with food will allow you to understand that food is only the messenger, not your enemy. It is a tool you use to soothe your emotions and a valuable one. Imagine not having that tool over the years of the time of stress.
If this is you, it's time to learn how to create balance in all your bodies, manage your emotions with kindness and find new skills in addition to the food that will leave you happy, healthy, and confident.
Coaching is about understanding how all our bodies interconnect and where the beginning of change needs to start for you.
Let's take that next step together!
Are you ready to take your first step in nourishing yourself this year?
Give yourself the gift this year to create the change you want in 2023!