So you downloaded EasyWellness and you are ready to make some healthier lifestyle changes. You’re feeling proud, and yet it feels like no one else is cheering you on. One biggest challenges most of us don’t anticipate when we take steps to start a wellness journey, is feeling sabotaged by our friends and family.
There are a variety of scenarios that can make you feel like friends and family aren’t supporting you. Here are a few examples:
Your family doesn’t want to make adjustments so you have to make your own meals and go on walks alone.
Food and alcohol are a center point of your social gatherings.
Friends and family make offhanded comments that you’ve changed or you’re boring now that you’re trying to make healthier choices.
All of these scenarios bring one word to mind: isolation. It’s scary to think that you may feel lonely or left out when you are starting your wellness journey but you have to remember: your health and happiness matter.
If you can relate to any of the scenarios above, keep in mind that everyone isn’t in the same frame of mind that you are in right now. Plus, watching someone else make healthier choices can bring up a lot of insecurities in others. Expect to be your own cheerleader 99% of the time. If you know you are going to need outside support, it’s a great idea to get an accountability partner or join a group of people who are trying to accomplish similar goals.
Stay open even when some of your new habits confuse those around you. For example, a lot of people still haven’t heard of breathing exercises for stress management. If you have decided to set aside a few minutes in the morning to stretch and do breathing exercises, you will need to explain to those you live with that they shouldn’t interrupt you during your new morning routine.
Mental preparation is a major part of your success. When you go out to dinner with friends, prepare to be met with comments or questions about why you ordered water instead of a drink. “I’m almost at my water goal!” is a simple and positive answer that opens the door for them to cheer you on without casting a, unnecessary negative light on their own choice to drink alcohol or sugary drinks. At the end of the day though, you don’t owe anyone an explanation and you don’t have to make people feel better about your positive choices.
Back to the topic of isolation. When it comes to bringing more movement into your lifestyle, if your family prefers to spend quality time doing sedentary activities, you may feel left out. That 45 minutes walking alone is time you may want to spend together. Hopefully, your progress will inspire others to join you.
Ultimately, you want to go into your wellness journey with the mindset that you are investing in your long term mental and physical health. There will be a learning curve and you may be confronted with uncomfortable situations where you have to disappoint others to stick to your plan or set boundaries. In time, you will change: into the healthier self that you envisioned at the start of your journey.
