Simple and Healthy Lifestyle Choices
When I have spoken about my own experiences, nearly every person responds to me with, “I have been through something similar.” To be clear here, I am not talking about positive experiences. If the majority of people have been through trauma, which I firmly believe is the case, isn’t it equally as important to create simple and healthy lifestyle choices that can help them move through that trauma? The phrase “simple and healthy lifestyle” has been tossed around social media more and more frequently. People crave to improve and fix their lives, but more often than not, they are given band-aid fixes, or they fall off the tracks from lack of support, dedication, or resources. Another possible reason is they have no idea where to start; I know I didn’t. It is evident in today’s society that there are loads of issues. Diversity, equality, sustainability, accountability, communication, mental health, and financial inequality don’t even begin to scratch the surface of the topics that need attention. To simplify, the subject of human rights needs to be addressed. Unlike most everyone else, I won’t lie and say I have the answer to the world’s problems because I genuinely don’t. What I do have, are places to start in your own life that might help you in creating a simple and healthy lifestyle. These are things that have specifically worked for me. I won’t promise they will work for you, but it’s worth a shot. Right?
Accountability
This is a good starting place. I really want you to roll around with this term in your head. Accountability is where your actions and words align. When connected, this is the closest you can get to a superhero. It is extremely rare to find someone who is authentically accountable. If you ever stumble across this kind of person, stick to them like the world’s strongest glue. Better yet, become this person and show others the way. Written in this paragraph, accountability looks easy, but it is single-handedly the most challenging thing I have ever worked towards in my life. Those who are accountable make mistakes just like everyone else. That’s not the point. The point is their actions afterward. How do they make it up to you if they broke your trust, what changes do they implement in their lives to show you they have changed, how do they change to be accountable to themselves? If you really want to know if someone is accountable, ignore their words and only focus on their actions. Their actions tell you if their words have meaning or truth. The same can be applied to yourself. If you want to know what is really important in your life, ignore the BS coming out of your mouth and only look at your actions.
What Does Accountability Look Like?
For example, I am accountable for actively working out. My goal is to go to the gym for 5 days out of the week. My actions tell me this is true because it has been the result for the past year.
Let’s say, for instance, my goal is to have a close romantic relationship. I say I am searching for the one. My true love who will be my life partner. While my words say this, I don’t even have a partner. I haven’t gone out on a single date. Do you believe my words or actions? Do you think my words and actions are aligned and accountable? I’ll let you decide.
I know this seems overwhelming, especially if you consider places in your life where you have not been accountable. Focus on what you can do moving forward. Set a very simple goal. Something achievable that still pushes your comfort zone. This will be the best step to living a simple and healthy lifestyle.
Cleaning Up
Cleaning up could really refer to anything when reading it; I hope something comes to mind for you. Is it your room? Perhaps your eating? Maybe it’s getting rid of relationships that aren’t supporting you anymore. Whatever cleaning up means for you, do it. If you decide to clean something up, make sure you stick to it because, remember, that’s your accountability on the line. Keep your words and actions aligned. If you are setting a goal to clean your space and keep it clean, grab an accountability buddy. Maybe this is your mom, brother, partner, or roommate. Hell, make an agreement with your dog if you have to. You might be surprised; those beautiful eyes are more impactful than you might think. Whoever it is, make sure you communicate what you want to achieve and how you are looking to be supported. Don’t make them set the rules; it’s your goal.
Get Moving
I won’t be one of those people who pushes crazy physical activity. The only thing I hope you consider is to get moving. Have this movement be intentional. If you move around at work, don’t count that as an intentional movement because you would have to do it anyway. Dedicate time for a walk or run. If you don’t love cardio, try lifting some weights. In my personal life, I am an avid gym rat. I often compete with the guys and think women belong in the weight room. Typically they shred more on the weight floor than the guys do. That couldn’t be a result of the gender stereotypes that exist in gyms, though. Whatever your physical activity of choice is, do it! If it feels good and you enjoy doing it, get out there. Don’t let someone else tell you how to live your life.
Like I said before, these might not work for you, but they did work for me. I challenge you to try some of these simple and healthy ways to improve your lifestyle. These goals can be hard to achieve, but if you are really dedicated, I know you can crush it! On those hard days, reach out to those who love and support you. On your good days, reach out to someone else. Use your motivation and power to stay healthy.
