Have you ever been in a situation that made you ask, “why did I let that happen to myself?” To be sure, some adverse outcomes happen independently of any good or bad choice on the part of the ones suffering the consequences. It is hard to study medicine without acknowledging that while some choices can lead to better health, others can set a person on the path toward a debilitating disease. Whether that choice is to ignore exercise, start smoking or to refuse a safe vaccination for a deadly infection, the end result is often a disease (or even a pandemic) that is worse than it could have been.
Disease, especially chronic conditions associated with lifestyle choices, can serve as warnings that we might need to alter our future behaviors. The recent coronavirus pandemic is all too easy of an example, with many people significantly changing their behaviors in order to prevent the spread of the virus, but there are countless other examples. As rates of obesity (and especially childhood obesity) have increased over the past several decades, it has become clear that we need to change our behaviors with regard to diet, exercise, and help for the food insecure. In another classic example, patients who have spent years smoking cigarettes find that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can serve as an uncomfortable, breathless wake-up call that the habit has to go. The list goes on.
Many of these sorts of problems are complicated, and “just try harder” is not always sufficient when people are already doing their best dealing with bad situations. That said, personal change and growth are usually prerequisites for meaningful improvement in a given situation. When faced with a chronic disease, one has the choice of three “P’s” to address the problem: a pill, a procedure, or a personal change. Many will need some combination of the three, and in the name of avoiding unnecessary interventions, it is often prudent to start with the latter: personal change.
Healing is a process, and one that starts with accountability. One can qualify for healing pursuant to will or will power. Lifestyle change is a common buzz-phrase that comes up in this arena, but what exactly does that mean? Disease, misfortune, and other adverse events all have the ability to teach us lessons. These five areas of change can be improved by anyone in the quest for optimal living, healing and well-being:
A) Our thoughts – the narrative in our minds about ourselves and the world, as well as the moral/ethical standard that directs our lives
B) Our attitudes – the mindset we adopt in times of hardship, the ability to recognize and be grateful for what we already have
C) Our intake – the things we consume, including diet, substances, media, books, etc.
D) Our activities – how we prioritize our time, how often we exercise, the hobbies and daily routines we choose
E) Our environment – where we spend our time, who we associate with, and our involvement in the community
It’s important to acknowledge that healing doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time and setbacks occur. Be kind to yourself, especially on the hard days. You’re not running behind. Setbacks have a way of equipping us with the lessons, tools, and knowledge we need for the next chapter in our lives. As the old saying goes, “experience is life’s greatest teacher.” Give yourself some grace, even if things aren’t happening as fast as you’d like them to. And when things aren’t going as planned, remember that your record of surviving the bad days so far is 100%, so this too shall pass. A wise man once said, “the biggest room in the world is the room for change.” As we move into a new year, the time is ripe for change; it’s never too late to become the person you’ve always dreamt of becoming.
Authors: John Kouam, Will Young Photo Credit: Will Young