In today’s complex, fast-paced world full of conflicting information and demands on our time, many people feel trapped by the fear of failing to improve their situation when faced with a physical or mental health challenge.
Have you ever been in a place where you have pain and you just don't know whether to accept it, or do something about it - but what?
You might need surgery, says one professional... have weekly physio, says another... stop a certain activity for good and accept it as "you are older now, aren't you", says a third one...
How confusing, contradictory, and often disempowering.
And scary, too - as it is not clear what the best course of action really is, and it might seem totally overwhelming to start a new journey. And so you get STUCK in inaction.
This fear can discourage us from finding the right solution and committing to a course of action. And that prevents people from fulfilling their full potential. It can keep us stuck for good.
Understanding our motives and human behaviour patterns and the reasons for those can liberate us from this limbo. Then, taking control of our health and making proactive steps towards wellness that are reinforced promotes lasting chage and creates enormous benefits at any age.
And your mindset plays a pivotal role in this process.
Understanding the Fear of Failure
Fear often stands in the way of taking action. When it comes to health, worrying about not sticking to a workout plan or not following medical advice can be daunting. In fact, studies show that approximately 60% of people who wish to start exercising fail to do so because they fear they won’t succeed. This fear can lead to inaction shrouded in excuses that we tend to make to ourselves to cover it up.
The fears we hold tend to seem to be supported by widely-held beliefs. Many people believe that declining health, stiffness, pain are just a natural part of getting older and need to be totally accepted. This seems to be a commonly held belief, apparently supported through observing how our family and friends might have behaved when faced with similar.
But that does not make it "gospel truth".
And of course, sadly, our bodies change as we age, but not everything is a given. Proactively looking after ourselves well makes all the difference.
Interestingly, there is also neuroscience explaining our resistance that works alongside the commonly held beliefs and fears.
Our brain is actually wired to keep doing what we are doing. There is a group of structures called "basal ganglia" which are crucial for habit formation and maintaining repetitive behavior. Once a behavior becomes habitual, the basal ganglia help to reinforce it, making it harder to break out of routines. This can lead to resistance to change because the brain tends to favour automatic, ingrained actions over novel ones.
The Consequences of Inaction
Accepting poor health can set off a chain reaction—both physically and mentally. For example, sedentary individuals are at a significantly higher risk of developing chronic conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and obesity. According to research, inactive individuals may double their chances of developing serious health problems as they age. Beyond the physical effects, long-term inactivity can also negatively impact mental health, contributing to anxiety and depression.
This works both ways - anxiety and depression that are not addressed causes a deterioration in our physical health, too.
Avoiding exercise and neglecting medical advice means accepting a lower quality of life and pain.
But this does not have to be a part of aging; it is often a direct result of inaction. It is entirely possible to break free from this cycle and pursue a healthier, happier life at any age.
Debunking the Ageing Myth
The belief that getting older means declining health is both inaccurate and damaging. While aging does bring some physical changes, it does not have to mean deteriorating health. For instance, a study published in the Journal of Aging Research found that individuals who engage in regular physical activity can reduce their chances of developing chronic diseases by 30% to 50%.
Adopting a lifestyle that includes exercise, nutritious eating, and regular check-ups can vastly improve life quality. This approach, often overshadowed by myths about aging, is vital for those who wish to maintain their health and well-being.
Across the world, people who have taken up a new activity - weightlifting, running - late in their life, have benefitted enormously. And it does not have to be extreme or excessive. Any form of physical activity that you enjoy, done consistently, and backed up by good nutrition, sleep and a balanced approach to supporting our mental health, is fantastic.
Next time, we will explore the benefits of taking action, how to sift through contradictory advice, and then discuss steps you can take to make these positive changes stick.
To your health,
Kaye
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