Let’s face it, New Year’s resolutions often lead to disappointment and a feeling of failure. Instead, let’s focus on a method called “calibrating wellness” to help you break down barriers and make progress in your health and wellness journey. By assessing your current state and understanding external factors, you can create a personalized action plan and track your progress to achieve your health goals.
Calibration with self-reflection and metrics
Calibration is about adjusting the results of something, in this case, our health and wellness. Start by taking a moment to see yourself as you are now, not as you were or wish you are. Once you have an honest assessment of your wellness state, create lists in broad categories, such as pain, disease, weight, sleep, mood, diet, and exercise. Then, list the specifics of each as they relate to you, and rate them on a scale of 1-10. This will result in a calibration chart to work from.
Considering external factors
External factors play a huge role in our wellness, and it’s crucial to understand how they affect your current state of health. For example, sleep quality can be influenced by noisy neighbors, too much light in the bedroom, or caffeine consumption before bedtime. Likewise, mid-day headaches could be caused by external factors such as workplace stress or blood sugar issues from an unhealthy diet.
Think about the environment in which you live and work, and list any external factors that could negatively influence your wellness. Once identified, this will help you reduce these harmful influences and work towards improving your quality of life.
Envisioning your ideal state of health
With your calibration chart and list of external factors, you now have a snapshot of your current health. Use this information to reflect on your desired state of health, but be realistic about what’s achievable within each area. For example, if you suffer from osteoarthritis and want to improve your range of motion and pain, aim for a realistic and attainable goal, like a 20% improvement.
Remember, you can’t “get there from here.” In other words, you’ll never reach your goals by doing the same things you’re doing now. Create an action plan for each item on your calibration chart and track your weekly progress. If you find yourself “stuck” in one area, reassess your approach and consider making changes.
Moving forward with support and resources
There are numerous online resources that offer advice on managing pain and inflammation, weight loss, improving sleep quality, and dealing with other health issues. Use these resources, along with consultation from medical professionals, to help you move forward in your wellness journey.
In conclusion, calibrating wellness involves honest self-assessment, understanding external factors, envisioning your desired state of health, and designing a personalized action plan. With dedication and persistence, you can make significant progress in your health and wellness journey. Best of luck and have fun!
