‘When all this is over…’ are words we often find ourselves repeating. Yet here's an opportunity; now's the time to take control of our healthy living goals.
We don't have to return to old habits and hang-ups. We don't have to succumb to food, alcohol, nicotine etc. for momentary relief. While we’ve been forced to hit the stop button, that doesn't stop us from hitting the start button. Let's change our tomorrow, today.
When we pause and take some time to think about what we are doing we often make better choices. Do I need that extra helping? Can I go for another hour without that snack? Can I have one less sugar in my tea? Can I get out for a daily brisk walk?
New Normal
As lockdown begins to ease, so will our return to old ways of working, living and thinking. In the rush to return to normal, ask yourself; which parts of normal are worth turning back to? What parts of normal are worth turning your back on? Now’s the time to turn this unplanned opportunity into something good. Our tendency will be to return to comforting go-to habits.
What were your pre-lockdown defaults? What are you rushing back to? What can we turn towards instead?
We're not out of the woods yet
Coronavirus remains the silent and invisible threat to our health and wellbeing. Now, more than ever is an important time to maintain and take steps to improve our health. There are no two ways about it: obesity-related conditions worsen the effect of coronavirus. People with heart disease and diabetes are at higher risk of coronavirus complications. What can you do? Could you shed some pounds; get your body moving and heart beating; or quit smoking?
- Could you change your snacking habits to manage your weight? Our free advice and coaching can help. Download the NHS twelve-week weight loss plan.
- #QuitForCovid with the support of our telephone coaching and you increase your chances of quitting for good. We can send your 8-10 weeks’ nicotine replacement therapy in the form of gum and patches to help you start stopping.
- Rethink your drink by tracking your units and taking drink-free days. Many of us drink too much too often. Rethink your drink with our short quiz.
- More people than ever are getting their daily dose of exercise. Don’t let that habit slip – keep taking steps to an active lifestyle.
Use the disruption we're experiencing as an opportunity for transformation. Habits are easier to change when they’ve already been disrupted. Now’s the time to break the habit of a lifetime. Register with us today to learn how we can support your next step.
Can't do becomes can do
There are lots of things we can’t do right now. Let’s transform our can’t dos into can dos. Alex used the constriction of lockdown to make it the time he took control of smoking. Jane used lockdown to start a new routine of twice-weekly fitness classes; her new normal.
Your next right thing
In the words of Anna, from Frozen 2, “just do the next right thing"!
‘Just do the next right thing… Take a step, step again... I won't look too far ahead... But break it down to this next breath, this next step... This next choice is one that I can make’
Don’t look too far ahead but break your goal down into smaller, simpler milestones. Set yourself a challenge. Maureen walked 25 miles in a month for her Race at Your Pace challenge – as they say ‘a 12-minute mile is just as far as a 6-minute mile’! Commit to show up to an online video workout regularly or try virtual Park Yoga for free each Sunday morning from your living room.
Keep your distance
Lockdown may be easing but we must still keep our distance. We can exercise outside of our home, yet we must stay 2 meters away from anyone we don't live with. It's still best to stay local to your home.
Share your commitment
When you voluntarily share your next right step, you increase your chances of following through. Share your commitment with your family, friends or Our LiveWell Facebook group. Write out your commitment with a comment below:
My next right step is to…
Your next step to LiveWell
If you are new to LiveWell Dorset, welcome. We support adults in Dorset to take steps to a happier and healthier life. Our free advice and coaching is provided by your council.
Pick up the phone if there’s anything we can do to support you. You can call us on freephone 0800 840 1628. Register to receive our support. Once you’ve registered we’ll call to discuss your next step to LiveWell.