Can you imagine the day you conquer fear & change your lifestyle? How would that make you feel?
How would it feel to not have that hanging over your head anymore?
Would you feel free? Confident? Triumphant? Maybe even victorious!
Would you feel better? Maybe even healthier?
The experts say that public speaking is the most common fear that people have. But, I disagree. I just don’t think that is true anymore.
I think the most common fear…is the thought of changing our lifestyle.
That’s right; I think the idea of giving up food that tastes good is the most common fear.
Or the feeling of muscle pain.
Or no caffeine. No alcohol. Or no nicotine.
No salt.
I think the fear of making a lifestyle change is now the most common cause of concern in adults. We just don’t talk about it in the context of fear.
But I know how it feels. I struggle with eating right and exercising to take care of myself just like…well if you’re reading this…maybe you.
What do we picture when we think about implementing lifestyle changes? I think a lot of us imagine the full-on-board “Biggest Loser” tv show type of image. And, that is scary!
We give lots of reasons to not make lifestyle changes. We [___]:
- Will be embarrassed
- Think it will be uncomfortable or will hurt
- Don’t have time
- Won’t be able to stick to it
- Can’t handle all of it
- Believe that we can’t afford it
- Will get overwhelmed
- Think that no one else is struggling or feels this way
- We will fail
These are not real reasons. The real reason – or at least the actual reason behind the reasons we give – is fear.
But here is the truth: self-care, or the way we take care ourselves before (or to prevent) disease, often has more gravity than what medicine can do for us after disease.
We CANNOT AFFORD TO LET FEAR stand in our way. We must conquer our fear! Here are five fantastic tips to overcome the fear and anxiety related to making a lifestyle change:
1. Conquer Fear & Change Your Lifestyle – Attitude
We need to move from the mentality that fear is the barrier to change to the acceptance that fear is just a natural part of making a change! Fear comes with any change. But the transition is rarely successful when it is rooted in negative thinking such as guilt, worry or regret. Experts tell us change is more successful when it is rooted in self-motivation and positive thinking. It is ok to be afraid, but focus on the success!
We can be afraid and succeed anyway!
2. Conquer Fear & Change Your Lifestyle – Understand the Real Value
Improving nutritional intake, quitting smoking, drinking less alcohol and increasing physical activity to reduce our health risk factors is right. And helpful.
They are not punishments.
Nope. It is not because our doctor doesn’t like us anymore. And, it is not an evil plot. It is genuinely meant to help us have a healthier future and a higher quality of life.
Now, and for the likelihood of independent functioning (without help from a device, caregiver or nursing home) later in life.
Changing our lifestyle can lead us to healthy aging. That seems relevant, doesn’t it?
I remember hearing, at least 15 years ago, the science proving exercise and diet modification could stop, or reverse type II diabetes. That was an incredible shift in thinking!
Now we know:
- Some chronic diseases have unknown or unproven causes
- Many chronic conditions do not have cures
- Chronic diseases can progress and cause death
- Chronic diseases cause preventable disability and premature death
- But, many chronic diseases are manageable, reversible or preventable with lifestyle changes to reduce health risk factors
3. Conquer Fear & Change Your Lifestyle – Have Realistic Expectations of Ourselves
It is so essential for us to be realistic.
Slow & steady will win this race.
For some of us, things will be harder. For most of us, there will be barriers.
There has been some evidence that comprehensive, organized programs have positive outcomes. But they come at a high cost to the user, and it is not clear which portions of these programs create/promote/cause the success.
There is also value (and evidence) that making one significant change over 1-2 months (vs. all at once) is the best way to go without a big support program.
Problems arise when we try to do too much, too fast and work alone.
Work to change one thing at a time, set measurable and attainable goals and work for the vast purpose, not the small win.
And find a partner!
4. Conquer Fear & Change Your Lifestyle – Preparation and Planning
Overcoming fear and changing your lifestyle needs to be given its due attention. Consider treating it like a college class or a new part-time job.
Organize and plan for your day. Do homework; make menu plans and prepare as much of your breakfast, snacks, lunch, and dinner ahead of time.
Just like with public speaking – preparation is the key to success.
(There is so much that you can conquer with planning. Do you know how to prepare and plan for changing your life? If no, please comment or email about your particular need, and I will write a post about that.)
5. Conquer Fear & Change Your Lifestyle – the Power of Faith
Finally, cling to your faith. Lean on it. Pray and ask for God’s help. In Psalms 56:3 (NLT) we read, “But when I am afraid, I will put my trust in you.”
God tells us (over and over in scripture) that he will help us when we are afraid. And He does.
Are you asking God for help?
We as Christians have no reason to fear. Think about these song lyrics when fear enters your mind while making changes to your lifestyle.
“Because He lives, I can face tomorrow, because He lives, all fear is gone,
Because I know He holds the future,
And life is worth the living,
Just because He lives!”
Are you applying your faith to this aspect of your life? What can you do today to make this happen?
You can conquer fear & change your lifestyle.
You find success when you focus on improving your attitude, understanding why you are making a change, set realistic expectations, prepare and plan and most importantly cling to the power of your faith. What can you start doing differently today?
Take your first step now and think about your attitude towards changing your lifestyle.
Is starting a barrier?
Learn how to apply your faith in your self-care and find motivation, take better care of yourself, and meet your self-care goals!
Subscribe to the My Life Nurse (MLN) Email Newsletter and receive the Be Well Through Worship as a FREE thank you gift now! The MLN Email Newsletter brings self-care tips, strategies, and faith-based encouragement to your email inbox once a week. You can unsubscribe anytime but I hope we remain long-time friends!