Wellness content is everywhere and it sometimes feels like we have an ever-growing to do list of “habits” we’re all supposed to do to be well. It can feel like it’s no longer enough to eat well, get some exercise, and prioritize sleep. Now it feels like we have to have the “right” supplements, yoga classes, journaling, and meditation classes.
When is enough actually enough?
During consultation calls it’s not uncommon for people to tell me they feel confused, frustrated, and unsure of where to start in making sustainable change.
Why are we overwhelmed by wellness?
I believe there are 2 main factors contributing to our wellness overwhelm:
The volume of hollow wellness content being put out. Wellness is big business, and everyone from major corporations to movie stars are trying to get skin in the ($7 Trillion) game. That’s a lot of incentive for just about everyone to suddenly be a wellness “expert” and pump out mindless, repetitive, and even exploitative content.
Lack of ways to integrate meaningful practices into ones life. This is a 2 parter in itself: first, that wellness practices must be meaningful to be helpful and second, that those practices must be woven into a lifestyle that’s sustainable and works for each of us
What if it’s not about habits?
At the core of the mismatch between effective behavior change and wellness overwhelm is a misunderstanding about habits. Specifically that wellness practices aren’t habits. Habits are things each of us does automatically without thinking - how you tie your shoes, buckle your seatbelt before you pull from the driveway, or the way you hold a pencil. They’re automatic.
When we change behavior, it’s no longer automatic. That’s part of why behavior change can be so difficult - it requires more mental resources than what you were already doing. Not only for the behavior, but even the decision to do the behavior. If we expect wellness and wellbeing habits to be automatic, and they never are, we can feel overwhelmed by not only the volume of the practices, but also the feeling it will all be endless.
But what if it’s not habits?
What if most of our wellness practice never were habits?
Do you unconsciously choose what to eat for dinner?
What would unconscious journaling even look like?
Sustainable wellness and self care isn’t habits… it’s systems!
Systems that we build gradually, layer by layer, in order to keep our foundational needs met.
It’s not just the diet that you decide to go on for the next 8 weeks; it’s the habits around what to buy, keep in the house, the time it takes to go shopping, your cooking skillsets, and more. That’s a system.
It’s not only working out for a few weeks because you feel like you “should”. It’s the mindset of why exercise is important to you in your life, what kind of exercise works for you, who you go with, when and where, and what keeps you motivated even when you’re struggling. That’s a system.
When we apply systems thinking to behavior change we no longer expect everything to just “click” one day. We can also start to see our efforts as iterative - and create systems for how to get back to our positive habits when we stumble, are sick, or do something fun like go on vacation or have a night out.
Applying systems thinking also allows us to work on the adjacent possible. Instead of focusing on trying to get it all right, all at once, we can work to build the foundations of the habits that we’re currently ready, willing, and able to take on.
Want some help building your wellness systems?
Join me for my upcoming workshop
What’s Included:
90 Minute Workshop with Q&A (I’ll stay and answer all your questions!)
Digital workbook to dive deeper into how you can actually take care of yourself
Replay recording access
Questions? Just hit reply to this email and I’ll hit you on back.