What Not to Say: 4 Attitude Statements that Sink Personal Wellness

As owner and practitioner of a fully-booked alte ative wellness center in New York City, and as a weight and energy mentor for individuals across the country, I have the privilege of working with many people every week. Together with each patient, I use a combination of eastern and western modalities to improve overall wellness. In almost every case, we find that mindset--that is, a person's attitude or way of thinking--can have the power to make or break wellness goals. While an optimistic mindset lends a tremendous boost to health and wellbeing, a poor one can sabotage progress in a heartbeat. No one can power through wellness issues while feeling hopeless or stuck in a rut. I often am alerted to this underlying problem by offhand comments a patient makes. These red flag statements tell me mindset should be moved to the top of the priority list. Do you find yourself saying these things from time to time? "Same stuff, different day." This statement reveals a person who's going through life in a hum-drum, mechanized way, feeling devoid of a zest for life and missing that spark of creativity. It's almost as if the "same stuff" person is just marking off the days on calendar. There's no sense of excitement or hope, just a routine muddling forward. If this sounds like you, don't keep rolling thoughtlessly along. Take action to break the cycle. Shake up the ho-hum routine! I challenge you to plunge into three new experiences this week. Your new activity doesn't have to be expensive or take up lots of precious time, and you don't have to be convinced you'll love it forever before you start. The point is to just do something different. Me? I'm trying gyrotonics, gratitude lists, and massages. "I tried that once, and it didn't work." Ask yourself: Have you seen remarkable results after one exercise class or one vitamin pill? Chances are you haven't. It's no surprise that there are few experiences that are so powerfully life-changing that an accurate negative evaluation can be made after just one try. When a particular modality, supplement, or activity doesn't work like magic after only one attempt, don't be discouraged. Tangible or measurable results take time. Commit to giving it a realistic try before deciding something just isn't for you. "It's always been that way, so I'm doomed." It might be true that you have a long-term condition. Truly, I'm not brushing aside the facts of your current health; it is important to honestly honor where you are today. But just suppose you were to adopt a new openness to the possibility that things could improve. Often those who say "This is the way it always is" are actually expressing frustration with a temporary situation. Even with a chronic condition, receptiveness to change may lead to small or even extensive improvement. Keep the faith. "Why is everyone getting healthier, thinner, richer--except me?" It's not possible to judge your progress fairly if you use another human as your measuring stick. Every body, every personality, every set of life experiences is different. What works for one person may not offer the same results for another. Don't compare yourself to others. Instead, ask yourself, "What's my progress been in the past few months, and what how can I be proactive to help myself even more?" So often, the first step toward improved wellness is an improved mindset. Listen to yourself on the days you feel tired, sore, low, or just blah. What we say sets the stage for how we act--and how we feel. Begin today to put a positive, hopeful spin on your health by putting positive, hopeful words in your mouth.