ACT Now for Better Health: 3 Steps to Stop Procrastinating Now

by | Sep 6, 2014 | Self-Care, Wellness Plan, Wellness Tips & Information

 Dr. Donna L. Hamilton, MD, MS

Many people procrastinate when it comes to improving their health. They fear it’s going to be too hard, unpleasant, or that they just won’t succeed.  Becoming healthier doesn’t have to be a necessary evil.    All you need  is a  realistic plan for success.

You can create an effective plan- one that addresses what to do, how to do it, and has steps you’re ready, willing, and able to take- by simply choosing to ACT:

Assess your Arenas

Choose Realistic Steps

Take Action

 

1: Assess your Arenas

In order to address any issue, you first have to identify it.  It’s the same for your health.  Addressing health issues requires understanding what it really means to be healthy.  You have to understand the five key areas impacting health.  Once you understand this you can better assess what you need to do to improve them.

The five keys areas are:

Physical Arena:

The physical arena deals with tangible things in your life: things you can touch, taste, smell, see, or hear.  This includes your body and anything you put on or in it.  It also includes your physical environment: your house, cleaning products, air pollution, toxin exposure, etc.

 

Mental Arena:

The mental arena deals with your thoughts and beliefs.  Some people call it the “little voice inside your head.”  You know, the voice that says things like, “I have to lose this weight before I go to my class reunion” or “My hair looks great today.”  It can be a major help or a hindrance depending on if you tend to think positively or negatively.

Emotional Arena:

Feelings live in this arena: anger, joy, sadness, shame, fear, etc.  Some people confuse thoughts and feelings. For example, “I feel that my boss is controlling,” conveys a thought ( i.e. the belief that your boss is controlling) instead of a feeling.  Saying something like, “I feel so angry because my boss is a control freak,” expresses feelings about the situation.

 

Social Arena:

The social arena brings “spice” to life.  It deals with things like family, friends, work, finances, community, and hobbies.  This arena can impact your sense of well-being, fulfillment, and overall satisfaction with life.

 

Spiritual Arena: 

The spiritual arena deals with your personal values and philosophy about life.  It’s the area that helps you cope with challenges, make sense out of life, and feel grounded.   This arena doesn’t necessarily involve religion, but for many people it does.

It’s simple to assess your arenas.  You can do it casually in your head or you can write them down.  The important thing is to think about each area and decide what if, anything, you want to address.   Some things might be obvious to you. Other things might take a little more time for you to recognize.  Some arenas might already be balanced and others might need a lot of attention.

 

2: Choose Realistic Steps

Now that you have decided what you want, it’s time to decide how you’re going to do it.  This is where many people get stuck.  You have to pick goals that you are ready, willing, and able to do right now.  Read more about selecting S.M.A.R.T. goals for more information about choosing realistic health and wellness goals.

 

Step 3: Take Action

Now you know what you’re going to do and how you’re going to do it.  All that’s left is doing it!  Since you picked realistic goals and set yourself up for success, taking the first step should be relatively easy.

It might feel a little uncomfortable, especially if you’re addressing an issue that has challenged you for a while. That’s okay if you can still follow through with your action steps.  If, however, you find there is a lot of resistance to taking your first step you probably didn’t pick a realistic goal.

If your start date has come and gone a few times, or if you are doing your task inconsistently, go back and choose another goal. And, don’t worry  If it seems too easy that’s okay. You have to start somewhere. Just be sure to build on your success.  The important thing is to ACT now.

 

Be well.

 

 

Donna Hamilton, MD, MS, FAAP
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