February 22, 2020
Hi Folks!
We have arrived in the new year, 2020. Hope you all have made it one way or the other.
I figured now is a useful time to share some ideas about making changes in our lives.
Even and especially, really, if you have leaped head-on into one or more new year’s resolutions; and maybe its going well (Yay!!) or possibly the resolution is starting to fade…whatever the approach, I want to share my experience.
I am realigning my gut health. I started in earnest many years ago…and then I re-started in the late fall last year by asking for help from a small group of people who I thought would know how to help me figure out my gut health.
As a sidebar, our gut, also known as our digestive system, is the seat of our immune system - so a healthy digestive system = a healthy immune system.
The reason I share this is to say I am trying to change my habits and isn’t that what a new year’s resolution is? Isn’t it us trying to change habits so we can move towards being the best version of us we can be? I say yes! And below is a perspective I find to be quite powerful.
So first it helps to possess a willingness to make a change…having a willingness for anything is what we tap into when the going gets tough, and yes we all have willingness in us somewhere.
Second and I think super important is to start small. I saw an article in The Wall Street Journal in early January about the success for change that comes with starting small, tiny even. It said New Year’s resolutions fail because people aim too high and get discouraged quickly. Instead, it suggests, celebrate the small accomplishments! The article is written by BJ Fogg, the author of a book called “Tiny Habits: The Small Changes that Change Everything.” I have not read this book, but his approach in the article specifically resonates with me. He brings to light that often we blame ourselves for not being good enough or worthy enough of making good lasting changes in our lives. He says the approach we take to making change itself needs to be different! He demonstrates, clinically, how starting in tiny ways to address something you really want to change, finding a way to prompt yourself as well as rewarding yourself are all keys to the start-small-change process. And it feels good to me to start with something I think is doable already, rather than avoiding movement towards positive change because getting “there” just seems totally overwhelming. And in this way, every little step we take matters and apparently the smaller the step, the better in the long run!
FYI - Massage is one "small" step that helps support a change in habits as well as any changes in life. Each session allows the body to reset from stress and tension built up during our daily lives. I am available most weekdays and many Saturdays to work with you to support your recovery, overall health and wellness, and de-stressing generally. Feel free to call me (865-604-2882) or email me (eksmassageandyoga@gmail.com) to talk about options for your best health and to set up an appointment for massage or yoga.
Best to you!
Emily