Don’t overdo it! 3 Tips for Successfully Improving Your Health and Wellness.

One thing I repeatedly see in people trying to be healthier, setting ‘New Year-New Me’ goals or doing a haul on their health and wellness is trying to do too much in a concise space. Going all in very quickly may work perfectly well for some, but for most people, it usually leads to becoming overwhelmed and/or giving up altogether. 

Social media is filled with tips, advice, bullying tactics, comparison posts and general nonsense on becoming a healthier, better version of yourself and beating the competition. (Nonsense like “wake up at 4 am if you wanna be successful” and “drink 5 gallons of water to be healthy”. That much water would kill you! And yes, I have seen that advice rolling around by people who call themselves ‘gurus’). Our only competition is the person we were and how we can do better than that person to live the rest of our years healthier, happier, faster, better, wealthier or whatever our goal is. 

It’s common for people to become enthusiastic about improving their health and making lifestyle changes when they first embark on a journey towards better wellness. However, it’s important to remember that making too many changes at once can be overwhelming and may ultimately lead to burnout.

When people try to do too much in the early days of trying to be healthier, they may set unrealistic goals for themselves or try to overhaul their entire lifestyle all at once. This can lead to feelings of frustration and failure if they are unable to meet these high expectations.

To avoid burnout, starting small and making gradual changes over time is essential. Making gradual, weekly changes (or even monthly) can help you feel more successful and motivated to continue your journey towards better health.

For example, rather than overhauling your diet and exercise routine, you might start by adding one healthy meal per day, taking the stairs rather than the elevator, or incorporating a daily walk into your practice. These small changes can add up over time and lead to lasting improvements in overall health and well-being.

Here are some simple tips to help you get started if getting healthier is a goal of yours: 

1. Start small and make gradual changes: Rather than overhaul your entire lifestyle all at once, start by making small, manageable changes that you can sustain over time.
2. Set realistic goals: It’s essential to set achievable goals within reach rather than overwhelming yourself and risk feeling disappointed or giving up too quickly or altogether. 
3. Be kind to yourself: Remember that it’s okay to make mistakes and have setbacks along the way. The key is learning from these experiences and moving forward rather than quitting.

It’s also important to be kind to yourself and remember that mistakes are okay. No one is perfect, and it’s natural to have setbacks along the way. The key is learning from these mistakes and moving forward rather than giving up altogether.

In summary, while being enthusiastic about improving your health and overall well-being, it’s also important to be mindful of the potential for burnout or giving up and then being difficult on yourself – unnecessarily.

By starting small and making gradual changes, you can set yourself up for long-term success and maintain a healthy, balanced lifestyle.

Hanieh Vidmar, 2023.