Taking Care of Mind, Body and Spirit
I can honestly say that I am very content with my life right now. I am doing work I love, am having a great time being a very involved and engaged mom, and for the first time in a long time, I am feeling pretty good physically as well. If there is one thing that I have discovered in my own life, which has definitely shaped my viewpoint as a life coach, is that it is necessary to take care of your mind, body and spirit when you are attempting to change your life. If one of those elements is missing, it will be apparent. Sort of like a puzzle with a hole it it, it just won’t look right.
I stay away from giving advice for the most part with my coaching clients, but I do try to gently point out when one of these elements might be missing. For example, if a client is doing very well sticking to an eating and exercise plan but is still thinking negative thoughts about her body and her lifestyle, the mind element needs some attention. This is an often overlooked piece of the puzzle – most people do not realize what a HUGE impact mindset has on the outcomes in our lives. I have talked to woman after woman who has lost a significant amount of weight and looks great but still has a self-hatred that makes Cruella Deville look like Mary Poppins. Why are women often so mean to themselves? I don’t really know, I can be pretty brutal to myself sometimes too. In my opinion, however, the spirit element is the one that is most often missing from the picture. The excuse I hear a lot is “I am not a spiritual person”. Sometimes this means “I am not a religious person” and sometimes it means “I do not believe in a higher power” and sometimes it means “I am not into all that woo-woo crap”. But the truth is that spirituality can be all of these things, or it can be none of them. Spirituality has a different meaning for each individual, and you could be nurturing your spiritual side and not even know it, or you could be overlooking some simple ways to nurture your spirit and complete the puzzle that is your life.
I get put on the spot a lot and get asked “are you religious?” and things of that nature. Sometimes I answer, sometimes I give a vague answer. I have discovered that most people that ask that question have questions about spirituality and want to know if I would approve of their spiritual practices (or lack thereof). I’ll just lay it all on the line: yes, I am a religious person, but this is something with which I have struggled nearly my whole life. And my religious and spiritual sides are sometimes one in the same, and sometimes they are not. I feel that my spiritual side is nurtured by attending worship services and for spending some quiet time each day in prayer or meditation. But I also feel that running, hiking in the woods, taking a hot bath, cooking also nurture my spiritual side. They are things that I do just for me. They are things that allow me to escape from the stresses of the day. They relax me and allow me to manage stress. I have discovered, especially over the last few years, that I need quiet time. Noise drives me crazy after a while. I need time to just “be”. And I need it often. Sometimes I do nothing at all, and for me, this is a spiritual moment.
Early next year I am launching a program that will help women that are struggling with infertility to help balance their lives by addressing all three elements: mind, body and spirit. It will be a group coaching program that will be limited to just a few participants, and you will be hearing a lot about this program in the next couple of months. I’ll be having a free teleseminar to tell you more about the program and all that it will include. I am guessing that your doctor probably has not told you about a program like this one! I am planning on returning to the fertility specialist to “try again” next year, so you can rest assured that I am going through this with you – it will be an authentic experience for you to connect with other women who understand exactly what you are thinking and feeling. I am keeping the group small so that we can form a real connection and offer genuine support to one another, even if we live in different parts of the world. More information to come, I promise!
Are you addressing your mind, body and spirit right now? Does one of the elements need attention, or are you struggling to gain balance in your life? Could you benefit from support? If so, I offer a free Discovery session to all of my clients – just visit my website and send me an email or fill out the contact form: http://www.yummylifecoaching.com.
Be Well!
Holly
“Most people do not realize what a HUGE impact mindset has on the outcomes in our lives.” Holly, this is so true. Negative thinking is one of the biggest saboteurs out there, because it holds us back from our true capabilities. Great post!