by Julia Scalise DN, PhD
Resistance can have a harmful effect on you and your quality of life:
- Resistance to new ideas,
- Resistance to warning signals that you have or are developing health issues,
- Resistance to implementing a healthier lifestyle.
Of course, you don’t want to jump on the bandwagon for every new fad that comes along! Nor do you want to jump into a new treatment or lifestyle change without careful research. However, many times resistance holds us back from making positive changes that could make our lives better.
We all need a resistance-releasing strategy, and I am going to share mine with you.
When I chose to investigate a different approach to my health issues over 2 decades ago, I decided to pursue alternative health as a career change. I had such positive results, I wanted to help others achieve something similar. Surprisingly, I was met with resistance from many people.
Yet had I resisted the information I learned and used, I am sure my health complaints would have continued and worsened. The same could be said for those I have serviced over these 2 decades.
Why Do People Resist Making Changes That Could Make One Healthier?
Why Do People Resist Making Changes That Could Make One Healthier?
When one gets a warning signal of pain or a symptom of health status change, denying or resisting the obvious does not fix the problem. Fear of getting a diagnosis does not make the problem go away. Often, it makes a minor “speed bump” have the potential to become a major “road block,” reducing the chances of living a longer and higher quality life.
Yet, pursuing evaluation for every twitch and tickle may open a Pandora’s Box of woes. Minor disturbances are frequently just problems that the body may have healed on its own with a little time and healthy lifestyle change.
Resistance to a healthier lifestyle, often arises from:
- Lack of knowledge to do so,
- Fear of surrendering things we love to eat or do, or
- Addictions that seem impossible to overcome.
We all know this resistance will only keep our health from improving as it could.
But, blindly taking every new supplement, for example, without much research into possible ramifications can be harmful too. Use good judgement when making any decisions that will impact your health!
The bottom line is, don’t allow resistance to positive change keep you locked into a life that is less than what it could be.
How to know if Resistance is Helpful or Harmful
How to know if Resistance is Helpful or Harmful
- Analyze all new ideas. Know their source. Ask good questions:
- Is the idea from a person who is trustworthy and has integrity?
- Do you know someone who has experience with this new idea, no matter the idea, and how has it served them?
- Is there any chance of harm or being worse off should you choose to pursue it?
- Warning signals that your health status has changed significantly and/or suddenly should be investigated and treated as soon as possible. However, mild changes that last no more than two weeks may be best left alone for a bit. If they persist for months or increase in frequency, intensity, or duration, then it’s best to find out the reasons as soon as possible. It is easier to stop the horse from getting out of the barn than it is to get it back in after escape. Pay attention and make wise decisions when you get warning signals.
- I encourage implementing a healthier lifestyle, but make sure that it truly is a healthier lifestyle for YOU. Trends and fads in all health and wellness areas must prove the test of a little time for me. Dietary change, physical activity, supplement use (if proper for you and your unique biochemistry, health status, and genetics) are all good things. Resisting implementation of these changes does not serve your highest good. However, resisting new trends in these same areas, until you are fairly certain they are beneficial for you, may serve you better.
I admit, I am more analytical of new ideas, information, products, protocols, and people than I was 20 years ago.
Resistance Isn't All or Nothing
Like all of you, I wish there was only one path to the best health and longevity. Resisting everything is not wise, but neither is accepting everything. I believe, if you take the time to:
- Listen to new ideas,
- Acknowledge your body’s warning signals,
- Commit to finding a healthier lifestyle, and
- Analyze and evaluate the information as it will affect YOU,
Then knowing when to resist or accept will get easier for you as your years progress.
5 Steps for Releasing Your Resistance
5 Steps for Releasing Your Resistance
If you have determined that you ARE resisting a beneficial action, follow these steps to identify your resistance, imagine how it would feel to release the resistance, and give the positive change a trial run.
1. Analyze What You are Resisting.
Only you know what you are resisting. Is it
- becoming more physically active,
- saying no to frequent fast food meals or junk food,
- moving to a new area where a healthier lifestyle is easier?
2. Clarify Why You are Being Resistant (be honest with yourself).
You are the only one that knows your obstacles. Here are a few common ones:
- Physical activities you want to do may be difficult to engage in due to time, finances, or weather/seasons.
- Surrendering fast food or junk food might mean you would have to devote more time to shopping or cooking.
- It may be more difficult to socialize with friends when you change your behavior or it may meet with complaints from family members.
- Relocation may be beneficial but seems out of the question for you.
- You may have an overall basic fear of the unknown on the other side of any change.
3. Visualize the Benefits if You DON'T Resist.
Do you know what you need to do and what benefits you may gain? Physical activity and healthier eating can:
- increase energy and stamina,
- improve your mood,
- enhance your physique,
- increase your lifespan,
- help you meet new friends, and
- result in new experiences or adventures.
4. Give Yourself a Set Time Frame to get Positive Results from a Specific Change
The time frame to notice benefits will vary based on what needs to change. Some changes may show benefit in a few weeks and some may take longer. Just be realistic with how much time to give yourself before you assess the benefits of your work and commitment.
5. Determine if You Feel it is Worth Continuing.
Only you will know if this specific choice is worth continuing. More often than not it is. However, if you feel differently, it does not mean you should give up completely. Maybe it needs adjusting or maybe a different change is better suited for you at this time in life.
If you turn your back on positive change, it could turn out to be one of your life's biggest regrets. Instead, do your analysis and ease into the change. The benefits you realize will make you glad you stopped resisting!
YOUR TAKEAWAY
Resistance does serve a purpose in being certain that you are moving in a beneficial direction and not jumping on the bandwagon of every new fad that comes along! But if it keeps you from making positive changes, it just doesn't serve you well.
Follow this 5 Step Process to move through resistance and make those changes that serve you:
- Analyze what you are resisting
- Clarify WHY you are being resistant - and be honest with yourself!
- Visualize the benefits if you do NOT resist
- Give yourself a set amount of time to realize positive results
- Determine if you feel it is worth continuing
