Achieving a Healthy Body
Achieving a healthy body cannot be achieved without first working on cultivating a healthy mindset. But what exactly do I mean by a healthy mindset?
A healthy mindset is one that is free. Free from restrictions, free from crippling anxieties, free from fear, free from negativity, and free to just be.
What does a healthy mindset look like in practice?
It means that when someone walks by you, you don't instantly compare yourself to that person.
It means that when someone compliments you, you are able to genuinely return the compliment.
It means that you are able to feel joy for someone's good fortune or exciting news.
It means that you aren't held back from trying new experiences due to anxious thoughts or fear.
It means that you aren't constantly worried about this, that, or the next thing.
It means that you are free to enjoy life and be happy every single day.
Now, I'll be the first to admit that my mindset is not 100% healthy all of the time.
However, when I look back over the years as I went through the varies stages of my life, I realize now that I am in one of the best places mentally that I have ever been in.
Yes, I still compare myself to others. Yes, I still worry about the future. Yes, I still have negative thoughts.
But - I am also able to go throughout my day with a healthy mindset free from all of those worries and negative thoughts. And I am able to do this now through an increase in self-awareness and self-discovery. By learning more about who I am and looking deeper into my personality and habits, instead of fighting them, I have become more confident and happy in my own self.
Do I still have work to do? Of course! I wouldn't be human if I didn't. But, where I am now and where I was 10 years ago or even 1 year ago are extremely different places emotionally, mentally, and physically. And these changes all started with an internal shift, and a commitment to focus on my mental health and self-love.
When it comes to your personal cultivation of a healthy mindset, I want you to keep in mind that these changes take time and mental energy. They take a commitment to yourself to take time to get to know yourself. Learn and discover what makes you truly happy, what upsets you, and what situations make you very stressed.
Once you learn more about these situations for yourself and discover more and more about your personality and triggers, you can start on the journey towards developing a healthy mindset.
For instance, when you feel a sugar craving coming on, instead of giving in to it right away, take 1 minute to journal about why you are experiencing the craving. Then, if you still want something sweet, try a piece of fruit.
Or, if you find yourself constantly jealous of other people's good news, stop yourself mid-thought and ask yourself why you are feeling this jealousy. Is it because you desire to have what the other person has? Or is the jealousy related more to the person, rather than the actual news?
Cultivating and developing a healthy mindset takes time, focus, and energy. It doesn't happen overnight. But, when we start to pause throughout our day to analyze our feelings, emotions, and reactions to situations in our environment, we slowly get one step closer to embracing a healthy mindset.
Because true health doesn't start from the outside - it starts from the inside.
xoxo Olivia