Create Health

I recently came across an instagram post from @drchatterjee that started off with the idea: “Creating health is different from treating disease.” It really caught my attention, and connected with my “why” behind becoming a coach.

To “create health” feels like a call to action. It’s the sentiment that health is something we participate in, rather than something we’re “stuck with,” genetically bound to or defined by. It’s a both/and thing. Considering how we create health brings us into a broader conversation around what it even means to be healthy, what things impact and contribute to our health, and what we can do.

I think it’s important to have a wide perspective when talking health, wellness and what it means to be “healthy” (along with solid science and reliable sources).  There’s connection in everything: what we eat, how well we sleep, who we surround ourselves with, how financially secure we are, our physical and mental health. We carry all of it in our bodies, and it gets expressed one way or another.

When we put time and attention into building habits that create our health, not only are we supporting health in the long-run, we are developing self efficacy.  It reminds us of our agency and empowers us to take ownership of how well we live in these bodies of ours.

A broad view of health and wellness asks us to look at the make-up of our day-to-day world. Cultivating that awareness gives us the opportunity to make intentional, well-informed choices. Like choosing to exercise regularly or eat nutrient dense foods, to focus on enjoying your meals rather than restricting “bad foods,” to consider your environment and what people/places/things bolster you, to decide what you’re going to put our time and attention into.

I think where we can get tripped up is thinking we need to do it all at once, or make this massive leap in one fell-swoop. The trick is to remember to start small.  Pick a thing to work on, and get after it.  The little things pack a big punch, especially in time.  The key is consistency; to keep believing that you’re worth the effort it takes to show up for yourself. None of this means we are guaranteed to avoid illness or struggle, life continues to do it’s thing and we can’t control that.  It guarantees that we are showing up with our best selves in this moment.