I’m grateful that I was introduced to the complimentary health care field at a young age. I currently co-own and manage Ozark Integrative Wellness Center, a clinic offering acupuncture, herbal medicine, and nutritional counseling, as well as tai chi and qi gong classes. I am a certified Food for Life instructor for the Physician’s Committee for Responsible Medicine, and I teach cooking classes focused on plant-based nutrition.
The experience I’ve gained over the past 15 years has allowed me to observe firsthand what works for people and what doesn’t. I work with people every day who want to make lifestyle changes and start their own personal path to wellness.
It’s a privilege to be involved in people’s healing process.
Everyone can make necessary changes whether big or small. I’d like to share some tips that I have seen work for others and for myself.
Tip 1: Get ready!
Changes stick when you are ready to make the commitment. Don’t wait for a life-altering event (which could mean a major illness or heart attack) to feel ready. Get out a pen and paper and take the time to clearly define your goals. Try keeping a daily journal. Write down how you feel and what you ate. After just a few days, you may see a pattern that will open your eyes to where you are now and where you’d like to be in the future.
There are many resources and options out there to help you get healthy. Decide what fits your goals, lifestyle, tastes, and values. Have fun brainstorming about your options. I feel excited when I think of our lovely area with all of the parks and activities that are family friendly and often free.
Tip 2: Give Yourself Positive Affirmations
After you’ve decided where you are and where you want to be, you might feel overwhelmed. That’s normal. Learn to make positive affirmations. A positive affirmation is different from a goal. Here’s an example: “I am at my ideal weight and I feel great.” or “I love myself and work on my health and happiness daily.” You may not be at your ideal weight, feel great, or even feel loving toward yourself, but affirmations get your head in the game. They are powerful tools to restructure your thinking. The body follows the mind. Write down how you want to feel and be. You don’t have to show them to anyone.
Tip 3: Get educated.
I’m sorry to say that there is a lot of misinformation out there. You must be cautious and check facts. If you read an article regarding health or diet, trace it to its source. Unfortunately, corporations fund research, and they present to the public only the results that are profitable. Furthermore, anyone can write or say whatever they want on the Internet and social media. Just because your friend heard it from a friend who said it worked like magic or was the next best thing doesn’t mean its time to blindly jump right in. Don’t waste your money, or even worse, risk your health. Before you spend time or money, do your research.
You have every right to look into your provider as well. Google them. Look into their training, degrees, and certification, especially if they are in the alternative or complimentary field. Did they print their certificate off the Internet? Do they have a professional board and license to practice medicine? Being a smart consumer is your responsibility, and it’s worth the time. You will find great sources, too. I like to make a binder and print out beautiful recipes and encouraging articles.
Tip 4: Find support.
I tell the students in my classes to talk with their family and friends, and let them know what they are trying to accomplish. Ask them for support. Be gentle in these conversations with your loved ones. They may understandably feel uncomfortable with changes at first. If you have health problems and don’t have good support from people close to you, use a counselor or try a support group like TOPS or even AA, Al-Anon, or another 12-step program that’s right for you. It’s OK to ask for help. The strongest, most successful, and well-balanced people get help from many different sources!
Tip 5: Be kind and gentle to yourself.
Often, we are able to be kind to others but say things to ourselves that we would never say to a loved one! Monitor your internal dialogue and make sure you’re focusing your energy on healing rather than criticizing. Give yourself permission to relax and feel safe. When we feel relaxed and safe we are able to progress and move forward.
I hope you feel encouraged by this article and the wealth of other resources available to you. I’ll wrap up by sharing a Chinese proverb: “The best time to plant a fruit tree was 20 years ago, the second best time is now.” M! October/November 2015
Learn more about Lindsey’s Food for Life classes at cook-to-live.com.
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