We’re always working on some goal or the other – planning everything out and executing those plans but do we do so with our health. Today I talk about how to create health goals – the factors to consider. Listen here to know more, but if you can’t have a listen, then you can read what I’ve said too:
Also, I now have a video version of this podcast right here, but again, if you wish to read or hear what I’ve said, then scroll ahead:
How to Create Health Goals & Stick to Them!
“Hi, I’m Shruti and this is my podcast space where I speak about life lessons, chronic conditions, mental and physical health tips and experiences.
Many of us write work goals, financial goals even general life goals but I don’t hear enough talk on health goals – as in a proper breakdown with an action plan.
So let’s do that today!
I’m going to break down a general action plan to highlight the things we really shouldn’t forget to consider and we can all then modify this plan based on our specific needs.
Let’s remember that good health is an essential for us to reach our work, financial and relationship goals, and most importantly for us to live a content life – and when I say health, I mean both mental and physical health.
Please remember, based on where we stand with our health – whether we’re dealing with a chronic condition or depression or an injury, our ultimate health goal will vary from each other.
Just to let you know.. for a text version of this podcast, it’s available on my website allthingsendometriosis.com
Okay so here’s my basic plan for you to build upon based on your needs…
1. Understand how you feel currently – both mentally and physically and then ask yourself how you would like to feel?
It might be a good idea to note these thoughts down with the date so you can look back at it later and probably compare
2. See a doctor and discuss this.
It’ll be worth asking for a full body health checkup to know possibly where you stand physically.
Mentally, if you believe counselling will be of benefit then ask your doctor for a referral.3. Get the full-body checkup done and identify your problem areas with your doctor and your mental health expert.
This is where you and your doctor can create a plan that should include:
Seeing a nutritionist.
Reworking your diet is an essential part of good mental and physical health.
Food has the ability to alter the way we feel about our body overall. The changes can be felt through a possible reduction in pain and improved energy levels.
Plus, I can say this from experience – when I’m sticking to a healthy diet, I feel happier .
The next is…
Seeing a physiotherapist.
A physiotherapist will be able to assess your pains and any other issues with stiffness or an injury or even pain caused by a chronic condition.
The physio will be able to create a plan which may involve various therapies including a proper exercise plan.
It’s always good to work on your physical fitness, whether it’s through yoga, weight training, cardio, pilates, swimming… The options are endless; we just have to figure out a plan and actively work on it but under the guidance of proper experts.
Next…
If you haven’t already – seeing a counsellor or another type of a mental health expert will be beneficial.
Again, I say this from experience. I went through weekly counselling as a teenager and those sessions help and support my mental health even today – more than 20 years on.
Lastly on my list is…
Seeing someone who can teach you meditation.
Meditation as I spoke of in my previous podcast in which I mentioned how meditation “help[s] create stability, calm and clarity which helps with mental, physical and emotional health.”
If you haven’t heard that podcast then please do – I explain how I meditate even while dealing with chronic pain.
I understand that seeing so many doctors and different forms of therapists can require a huge effort, but take it a step at a time, incorporate things slowly otherwise it could be tough to maintain a lot of sudden changes.
We should set ourselves in a way that we are able to reach and maintain our health goals through consistency and that won’t happen if we overwhelm ourselves.
So a quick recap, understand how you wish to feel about your health, get a full body checkup, create a plan with your doctor, mental health expert, nutritionist, physiotherapist and anyone else on your list and then work on this slowly and consistently.
Also it won’t make sense to set an unrealistic timeline for this – it should be slow and steady, but be genuinely committed.
So now create a realistic daily schedule for yourself under the guidance of medical professionals
Ahh.. I almost forgot…
Here’s one last factor that we forget to consider…
When working on our mental health, what we consume, in terms of content – whether it’s twitter, youtube, a tv series, the news – it all affects how we feel. I have blocked, muted and unfollowed certain people because there is some negativity which we don’t really need and shouldn’t keep.
On that note, time to ask you guys what you thought of today’s podcast and if you’ve made any health goals before – did you plan them out too? How did it all turn out for you?… and if you never have then please do because like I said in an earlier podcast – we live with ourselves for the rest of our lives… quite obvious yes – so best to make our own company a healthy one!
You can get in touch with me with your replies over email [email protected] or Instagram DMs which is also @footprintsnoboundaries.
Take care everyone… b-byeee!”
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I’d love to know what you thought of today’s podcast. Please do share your thoughts in the comments section below…
Previous: Podcast Episode 16 – How I Meditate Even With Chronic Pain
Up Next: Podcast Episode 18 – From School Bullying to Adult Bullying – What I’ve Learnt
(text version will be posted next Sunday, but if you would like to hear it on Spotify, then you can here)
If you’re a social media person, then you can follow me on Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest or YouTube.
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Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. I am a patient and have created this platform to share my experiences. This is all purely informative and in no way am I providing medical advice. Please consult a medical professional.
Seeing a physiotherapist (or several over the years) was so important for getting me back to exercise, which has been really helpful both for symptoms but mental health too. I really do think more people should be offered this on the NHS (in the UK) as I have often had to pay a great deal for private appointments.
Interesting perspective and take on this, Shruti. Makes me think: creating health goals as a chronically ill person really does take a team as well! But it is indeed so important in order to maximise our wellbeing.