From Exhausted to Energized: Take the First Step to a Healthier You

The funny thing about wishes:

Sometimes all it took to make them come true was a first step. 

Sometimes, you want to just sit and not talk and watch the world go by; other times, you are not going to miss out on anything at all. Yet other times, you just don't feel like explaining yourself to anyone or even leaving your home.

You know, some people you meet in life stay season after season, and some stay as briefly as a floating feather drifting in the breeze. But your body and mind stay intertwined, and your health depends on their connection and the practices you implement and keep.

First, a realisation and then an intention may exist. Then, a behaviour may be established, a habit formed, and a practice followed. A practice, when enjoyed and maintained, morphs into second nature to you, and then you become who you are - and it becomes you. 

Health and wellness, and the absence of wellness, is no different. We ALL have certain habits we like and dislike about ourselves, habits and practices that either support our health or don't. Maybe practices we have done for what seems like an eternity and feel we simply cannot change. 

So - who are you? 

More clearly, let's backtrack to the intention. What is your intention for living your life? 

I was chatting with a client today, and she echoed the sentiments of many other patients in my clinic. 

"Nah, I'm not stressed out at all. I love my life and love my work too". She said.

I replied, "Well, that's totally amazing. I'm so excited for you! You must have a great bunch of supportive practices and things that align as second nature - that's fabulous. So how best can I help you then?" Knowing that she made an appointment to see me for both Alpha Guidance, Homeopathics and Injury Medical Massage. 

She replied with a pained look and winced as she spoke, "No, not at all. My life is a disaster, and I feel like I need a break from everything and everyone. My body is always in pain, and I need to completely reboot myself and my habits and set new intentions to live a better life!"

Interesting. 

We both sat in silence. 

I was listening to her intently. I was listening not to answer and not to know it all but to really listen to the underlying meaning and her pain and trouble. I needed her to feel heard. She continued. She then addressed my initial question. 

"I guess I am actually stressed about everything, to be honest. I'm not sleeping, I eat crap, my relationships are suffering, and some colleagues at work are driving me bonkers! I seem to have lost my patience over the past few months."

She continued and told me of her body pain and most recent injuries, how she is no longer exercising, has stopped going to her evening sports team training and games and has no fun. 

"I just want to sit and watch the world go by. I don't want to explain myself to others around me, and I don't even want to leave the house most of the time; I feel as though I'm forcing life to happen and merely surviving and existing. I know I am SUPPOSED to love my life, my job, myself—I used to. I guess others think I still do. I lie to myself, and that's exhausting, but I guess I'm faking it and falling apart, and I've taken on many bad habits - like DoorDash, doughnuts and ICE-CREAM". 

I tell her she is not alone. 

Let's address her non-supportive habits and list some possible new supportive habits. Also, think of the habits of years ago that supported her when she really DID love life itself. 

She was quick to identify herself that it was only a couple of things that were "off the rails", she wasn't a write-off, and denial was not serving her well.

 Realisation. 

"I used to love watching the sunrise and having herbal tea. I loved going for an early morning walk at the Marina, looking at all the boats and fishermen. I loved eating fresh foods and strangely enjoyed the cycling spin classes with my friends, too. I haven't done ANY of that for a long, long time, but maybe it's time to do it all again. 

Intention. 

"I absolutely agree!" I replied. Let's sort out your back, neck, and hips and get your body moving again. Arrange something homoeopathically for your individual (case), including personality, pain, insomnia, stress, and immobility, to name a few. I'll also give you a nice custom-made herbal tea blend from my Dispensary and a Reflexology treatment." 

So we did. 

She left 90 minutes later with a spring in her step and energy coursing through her inspired body. She had a plan for behaviour and new supportive habits that would eventuate into a 'practice because she likes it'. She would then announce, with honesty and realism…"Nah, I'm not stressed out at all. I love my life and love my work, too!" 

We High-Fived as she departed with a smile on her face. 

"You'll never get bored when you try something new.

There's no limit to what you can do." - DR. SEUSS.

6 Steps to Changing Habits: 

1. Identify cues. Realise what a non-supportive act is for you. Something has to trigger a habit, and a cue can be anything. 

2. Disrupt. Once you know the cues, you can throw bad habits off track. 

3. Replace with a new supportive act.

4. Keep It simple. 

5. Think long-term. 

6. Persist until you like it. 

"Hey friend, don't you dare forget, as you're welcoming a new you, that there's a whole lot about the old you that is worth keeping." - TONI SORENSON

You may realise that turning the page is the best feeling in the world because there is so much more to the book than the page you were stuck on.

XO Dr. Dee

PhDBHMS. B.Sc. Adv.Dip.RT. Adv.Dip.Hom. Dip.CHt.

Registered practitioner with ANTA, MCPA & an ANTA Alumni member