Changing Behaviors

There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you. – Maya Angelou

I looked for quotes to fit under this title and Maya Angelou’s words leaped from the page in my search. Changing behaviors can be difficult for so many people and for others a simple linear task. As a health promotion professional, I see people struggle with behavior change and I wish I had a quick fix. We often times hold on to certain behaviors because they provide a sense of comfort and don’t resist our energy flow or lack thereof. We create a certain rhythm that feels natural for us mixed in with tons of instant gratification (Cheeto Puffs) but consequently and without notice deteriorates our natural healthy state.

How do we change something that will be sustainable and creates some consistency?

• Some must experience a significant health threat like a stroke
• Witnessing someone we love experience a medical condition that creates limitations
• We wake up one day and realize we are not invincible
• Our internal organs shout to the cranial matter that we have an internal Chernobyl situation and DNA codes are being rewritten

There’s a number of reasons people change behaviors and what drives us is inherent and must be examined within our own minds, hearts and even soul. That’s right, I said soul. Sometimes the stores that are untold must be heard in order to trigger the change we so long for. The real discomfort is telling our stories and the rest will follow. Health Promotion is so much more than just endless cardio and eating chicken breast and broccoli. You have a story; so tell it.