New Year, New You: A Look at Total Wellbeing & Lasting Lifestyle Change

Another year has come to an end. As we look forward to what this new year brings, it's only natural that we look back as well.

During this time of reflection, people tend to evaluate their lives and make resolutions for the new year. Quit smoking. Lose weight. Exercise. Spend more time with friends. Walk the dog.

But why pick just one?

Why not aim for a holistic approach and try to foster total wellbeing, nurturing your mind, body, and spirit?

Where to start?

You can start by thinking about all different aspects of health. Click on the links below to take brief self-assessments about these topics.

Which ones do you feel like you would like to improve? Once you have identified where you want to make changes, the next step is to set goals.

Setting goals

Begin by recognizing the positive qualities and achievements identified in your self-assessment and establish some "working goals." This type of goal is a trial run - you may need to modify it later, and that's okay.

The first and most powerful goal is deciding to improve. Simply making the decision to improve or enhance your life is a breakthrough.

See more tips for setting goals. 

Research has shown that people are most successful at making changes when they:

  • know the change is needed
  • want to make the change
  • have values that are reinforced by the change
  • have necessary support and resources
  • have a plan
  • understand and work with their own motivations, fears, and resistance

Learn about the stages of readiness for change.

Making a larger change may sound intimidating, but there are people who can help. Health coaches are professionally trained individuals who partner with you and help provide you with support as they facilitate your change process.

When you feel ready, create a goal here.

What do health coaches do?

  • Collaborate with patients and their healthcare providers.
  • Facilitate the process of lifestyle change to prevent or help improve lifestyle-related conditions and optimize whole health and wellbeing.
  • Explore and provide information, resources and referrals to providers that practice safe, evidence-informed integrative health interventions.
  • Support the client's self-empowerment and actively direct them on their own path of healing.
  • Help the client develop a vision for optimal health and wellness.

"Behavioral scientists have shown that one-on-one coaching is among the most effective approaches to helping people make and sustain improvements in their lives," says Karen Lawson, MD, Program Director for the Health Coaching track at the University of Minnesota's Center for Spirituality & Healing.

In fact, data shows that wellness coaching/education can improve an individual's quality of life, while lowering healthcare costs through behavior and lifestyle modification.

Wellness coaching is considered the missing ingredient in creating lasting lifestyle change, according to Patrick Williams, EdD, founder of the Institute for Life Coach Training.   

So, as you look back and reflect on your year, think about your highs and lows. What did you really do well? What made you happy? When did you feel healthy?

Conversely, what made you feel stressed or unhealthy? What areas of your life might you want to change? Will you need a coach or accountability partner to help make this change?

Resources

Books:

  • Arrien, Angeles (1993). The Four-Fold Way: Walking the Paths of the Warrior, Teacher, Healer and Visionary. HarperSanFrancisco.
  • Creagan, Edward and Sandra Wendel (2003). How NOT to Be My Patient: A Physician's Secrets for Staying Healthy and Surviving Any Diagnosis. Health Communications, Incorporated.
  • Levine, Steven (1997). A Year to Live: How to Live This Year as if It Were Your Last. Random House, Inc.
  • Luskin, Fred and Kenneth Pelletier (2005). Stress Free for Good: 10 Scientifically Proven Life Skills for Health and Happiness. Harper Collins.
  • Plume, George Leonard (1992). Mastery: The Keys to Success and Long-Term Fulfillment. Penguin Group.
  • Shapiro, Deb (2005). Your Body Speaks Your Mind: Decoding the Emotional, Psychological, and Spiritual Messages that Underlie Illness. Sounds True, Incorporated.

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