Wednesday, July 2, 2014

Project: Improve Health 1 Baby Step at a Time

A while back I blogged about a similar topic - "changing bad habits into good ones", but I was unable to make any significant changes at the time, maybe because I was focusing on too many things in too shorter time. I have been wanting to make some lifestyle changes for a while now, because I have gained so much academic knowledge about the science of health over my career, but to be completely honest, I do not always practise what I preach. So now I will use all this academic knowledge as inspiration to attempt to make changes in my own life. Not only will this bring me closer to my optimal state of health, but it will give me insight into the challenges my clients face when they attempt the changes I recommend.

Project - To create healthier habits which reduce damage done to my body, mind, and spirit, and which support my optimal health.

What does this mean? Broadly speaking, what comes to mind is balance in work and play, having regular me-time, healthier habits that promote sound sleep and balanced moods, like exercising regularly, reducing caffeine and sugar intake, etc.etc.etc. Basically - I hope to learn a lot more about being healthy along the way, and about what it takes to get there amidst other day to day responsibilities and distractions. 

I will consult a number of texts and find inspiration from other health and wellness specialists, and I will share this with you.

I figure it will be an interesting journey as I weigh convenience and indulgence up against my own experience of health. It is certainly not my nature to constrain myself from a good time, and I am certainly no idealist do-gooder. I do of course hope to find convenient alternatives to unfriendly habits, and discover new healthy indulgences to share with you.

Time frame - I am giving myself 1 whole year to make the transition. I will make one new inspired change every month, and blog about my motives, as well as my experience. I think 1 month will give me enough time to feel some effects and analyse the challenges I may face.

Please, by all means, do this with me if you have a habit you want to change!

What next?  
Pick a focus (something I want to change about my health and ultimately my lifestyle), research it, adopt ways of changing the habit, reflect on what worked and what didn't and what can be done differently. 

My focus for the first few weeks ... I think I will start by working on supporting healthier sleep patterns.

Why?
There is plenty of research about the benefits of getting adequate sleep, some of which I hope to take you through during the next few weeks. For example, I know that adequate sleep (7-8 hrs per night on average), can help support healthy blood sugar balance, reduce appetite, support the body's healing mechanisms and immune function, and improve overall mood and mental function. More on this to come ...

It all starts here!