Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together? Perhaps we’ve embraced some change or other and experienced an improvement in energy, or mood, or noticed that those aches and pains have disappeared.
Sometimes, though, change may prove elusive: it’s not the right time, we aren’t ready for it, it’s too big, or perhaps it doesn’t fit in with Life or our way of thinking. Maybe we start off well but Life throws another curveball and change slips down our priority list; we forget; we veer off track, we become distracted, losing heart, and confidence in our ability to make different, better, choices.
“I have not failed. I have found 10,000 ways that don’t work.”
Thomas Edison
There are many reasons why we may stumble when embracing the wellness behaviours that better support their body and mind. Understanding what those reasons are and how they influence us may help us to create and make more effective choices.
Just like the whole “eat less, move more” concept, it sounds simple but often isn’t. One place to start is with building connection: connection with who we are at a deeper level, our beliefs and behaviours, and how these choices might shift according to different contexts or situations.
The judgement-free exploration of our experiences, perceptions, thoughts and feelings may help us connect with our Inner Eating Expert; it may help us move towards understanding and accepting of ourselves as we are and where we are at this moment. From there, we may become more open to adjusting our choices.
“The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change.”
Carl Rogers, originator of ‘client-centred therapy’
‘Connection’ implies joining something together; a bit like a dot-to-dot puzzle of our health using the dots provided by our Inner Eating Expert’s wisdom and signals. The more numbers, the more complex and detailed picture, but every single dot-to-dot puzzle starts with number 1 and moves naturally and logically, step-by-step, until gradually we ‘get the picture’ (sorry). For many of us behaviour change begins when we find the dots and start the process of linking them together.
“The first step toward change is awareness”
Nathaniel Branden
So the first step in behaviour change may be to look for the dots: to bring something – a behaviour, a belief, a value – into awareness and acceptance. Sometimes the dots are clearly visible, other times they need to be searched for. And that search for understanding may be encouraged by reflection: the thinking and pondering and conversations that enables us to glimpse our deeper selves and shine a light on the very foundations of our choices.
But thinking, pondering, and reflecting often requires a trigger or cue: something to kickstart the process. A carefully placed question, a statement, or even a little drawing may be all it takes to open up an entire, deeper dialogue that reveals the direction we need to take and how to take the first step.
Enter “WELL?”
Subtitled “curious about health” it is just that. A little deck of playing cards that encourages meaningful conversations about the five pillars of physical health. Inspired by nutrition, psychology, and behavioural science, I designed each card so that it offers a non-judgemental trigger or cue to explore the contributions made by mindset, eating, movement, sleep and relaxation.
“They are so “gentle” yet effective for digging deeper”
AB, Nutritional Therapist, Health Coach, Chef, Author
A brief instruction leaflet offers suggestions to get started but the intention is non-prescriptive. Use it however you feel best: in conversation with another person or a small group, as part of reflective journalling, even as a photo or card in your wallet or purse to keep you on track.
“I love these cards. Often I stare at my journal and can’t think what to write – these help get me started”
CB, 24 yo female client
“This deck of cards is dynamite in little pack”
LdW, Health Coach
Many of my clients enjoy using these cards
- to kickstart conversations with their friends, family or accountability buddies
- as part of their “line a day” or “five lines” journalling practise
- as a simple and practical tool in longer programmes, particularly around eating behaviour and influences on food choice
- as a surprise “thank you” from me if they’ve been with me for a while and are ready to “go it alone”
Having trialled these cards with other Nutritional Therapists in UK and further afield, I’ve made them available to fellow practitioners too.
“This deck is a game changer”
KG, Nutritional Therapist
Want to see what my clients love about these cards? Think these might be the missing piece that will help your journalling practise? Fancy a chance to try one of the approaches I use in my work? Simply want to become more curious about your health? Of course you do!
To get your hands on a pack of your own, please email sabra@happierreating.co.uk for more details including cost of delivery to your address.
“Thank you for designing this: I will definitely be using these on myself and with my clients”
UL, Health Coach
I wonder: where will your curiosity take you today?
