A Road Map for Lasting Wellness Change for 2021

The end of any year gives many people cause for reflection. If 2020 was not all you could imagine for yourself perhaps your ready to create a road map for lasting wellness change for 2021. I have spent time reflecting on the words that bring this image to mind. I call them the “R”words.

Lets start with Renew. When I think of this word certain images come to mind: a calm environment, nature, water or water sounds, snow, certain kinds of music, a time when things have slowed down and are simple. I encourage you to think about this for yourself. What would give you a feeling of renewal. Maybe you could create a day were you gave yourself the gift of stepping away from your normal pace and responsibilities. If you did/could, what would this day look like? Make a list. This is not about being busy, having a good time, surrounding yourself with people or activities. This is about giving yourself a chance to feel deep down what you need to re-center and what might serve you in your life moving forward. You would be amazed at what some down time can produce.

Next word is Revised. This part of the road map involves identifying what you want to change, tweak or alter for 2021. One of my favorite authors/coaches is Leo Babauta. He wrote “The Power of Less” and has a blog called Zen Habits  zenhabits.net. His approach to revising what you are already doing well and changing what you would like to be doing more/less of are real and done in small steps. Sometimes it is not necessary or even a good idea to throw everything out and start over when it comes for creating a healthy lifestyle. This is for you to evaluate but I encourage small, doable actions.

Another “R” word that is big for me this year(actually two) Reconnect/Re-invest. The pandemic has create a necessary distance for most of us and with good reason. I know all this separation, social distancing and alone time has left me feeling isolated at times. While we have lots of remote options it is not the same as being in a face to face conversation or doing an activity in person. In addition, if your in a situation where things are stressful with the people you live with or in a relationship this past year could have taken it’s toll. One coach that I have received some great ideas from is Bruce Muzik. His TEdx Talk on relationships and his coaching program offer a new and different perspective https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lkbWIfP3mLw. If your open to new ways to approach old problems with a partner or loved one you might really enjoy his methodology.

This “R”word is one that many of you will be considering for 2021, Re-commit. The question is to what. Most people have a long list of the things they have tried in the past that did not bring the results they had hoped for. Again, I think we all start out with great intentions and for many reasons have a very difficult time staying the course. The bottom line is that in order for new habits to stick you need a plan to create them. Re-committing to exercise, a healthy eating plan, a wellness practice or even better sleep require ingrained habits-when you can do specific things with out thinking about it much if at all. One book I can not recommend more highly is “The Power of Habit” Why we do what we do in Life and Business. This best seller by Charles Duhigg lines in out with research based data to support creating lasting change in the areas that you target. While making change is never easy it is possible when you ready and if you have a plan. Both are critical to lasting change.

My next word for this post is Re-Set. I recently want through a life changing health scare with cancer and had the opportunity to re-examine– and re-set my healthy eating plan (I don’t like the word diet). I read lots of books listened to specific trainings from other cancer survivors ( Chris Wark comes to mind) and discovered a book that had lots of different ideas that I could embrace. I don’t promote or advise any specific kinds of diets or healthy eating plans. In my experience this is very personal and requires the person to be fully on board with the expectations. I mention this book as one tool in your tool box if your looking for sustainable ideas. The Longevity Diet by Valter Longo, PHD. While I advise a grain of salt with any book, I did like the research supporting his ideas and some of the plans were lifestyle friendly.

Lastly, I have two words to end with: Rejoice (we have a new year on the way!) and re-released (second edition). My book “Summit!” will be available soon-I wrote an additional chapter and am very excited to share some big lessons that helped me in a powerful way.