Health Isn't What You May Think
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What are you looking for in these newsletters? I wouldn’t be here without you so I want to make sure I’m serving you in the capacity that best aligns with your expectations and my mission.
Is the main topic too long, too short or just right? Do you want to skip the yoga, add plant based recipes, more oil info…? Let me know in an email!
How Do You Define Health?
This is a question I find myself asking many clients. Whether it’s the first or tenth session, it always comes up when it is realized I really won't promote food elimination solely for “health” purposes (without medical merit) or restriction as a weight loss strategy. With this realization, clients are still concerned about health at their current weight. So naturally I ask them, with curiosity never judgement, how they define health.
Inarguably the answer usually centers around eating healthy and exercising. Then with further exploration, the desire for a certain weight or reduction with a particular body part is confessed often along with the assumption that it will result in increased comfort, disease prevention and overall happiness. Given our societal environment, it doesn’t surprise me. The quest for an ideal physique is promoted and ingrained into our minds from the time we are young and remains in our daily lives. Afterall, those who are in smaller bodies live longer, have decreased morbidity and live happy lives, right?!? (I hope you said “no” or at least “not necessarily” especially if you read last month’s newsletter https://veriwell.co/blog/veriwell-s-august-newsletter!) The problem with disguising nutrition and exercise under “health” or even “wellness” is that it is a very narrow and potentially damaging definition.
When we define health as directly related to what we eat and our lifestyle, it sends the message that most chronic diseases are preventable.... that our health is in our own hands and by making the right choices we will increase longevity and our healthspan. The issue I have with this focus is that it places a very high, almost righteous value on personal responsibility and almost no explanation for environment, genetics and circumstances. It negates the social, spiritual, economical and emotional aspects that impact our daily lives such as connection with others, stress reduction, adequate sleep, clean fresh air, enjoyable physical movement and eating based on hunger, satiety, nutritional needs, and pleasure, rather than a regulated eating or fitness plan formulated by an external source (an external source includes what you’ve been told by marketers, news outlets and yes, health care providers).
To me, health isn’t an objectionable outcome of living, a moral imperative nor an individual obligation. Rather it's a balance between the body, mind and soul that includes choices I make that include or exclude, when needed, family, friends, work, community, environment and spirit that shift with time and change with circumstance. That’s my definition.
Tell me what this means for you. Can you expand your scope of health beyond food and exercise? Email me back to schedule an appointment and explore your definition. I love working with people to figure out what’s best for them!