Unhealthy habits don’t form overnight. They are the result of ongoing actions, choices, thought patterns and expectations that create a clear path to emotional and physical unease. The good news is, by simply becoming aware of your relationship to your body, your nutrition and your expectation of yourself and others, you can corral your thoughts and expectations toward promoting your health instead of sabotaging it. You must go beyond becoming your own ally; you must become your own champion.
Here are four common forms of self-sabotage that you can overcome by increasing self-awareness.
Self-Sabotage #1: Condemning Your Body
Looking in the mirror and thinking hateful thoughts, constantly comparing yourself to others, feeling guilt/sadness/shame…Each one of these erodes your positive self-image, making weight loss incredibly difficult and leading to apathy, resistance and depression.
How to become more self-aware:
- Visit a luxury weight loss spa to get inspired and meet a like-minded support group
- Practice daily appreciation of the positive things in your life, including your overall health
- Surprise yourself with fun new adventure exercises like hiking, tai chi, rock climbing, or stand-up paddle surfing
Self-Sabotage #2: Ignoring Your Own Needs
Putting the needs of work and family above your own needs is a fast way to wear yourself down. When you rush from activity to activity, willingly sacrifice sleep and get zero alone time, you become physically and emotionally agitated. In other words, you become stressed and stress leads to an array of damaging health consequences.
How to become more self-aware:
- Ask for help. Let the people in your life shoulder more responsibility.
- Prioritize time for yourself. Schedule alone time, take a solo vacation, or book a stay at a luxury weight loss resort or spa to refresh yourself and be of more service to others.
Self-Sabotage #3: Worrying
For some, worrying about potential but unseen threats causes the body to shift into fight-or-flight mode, leading to increased blood pressure and heart rate. For others, worrying is linked to indigestion or other stomach problems (hence the phrase, “My stomach was in knots.”) These physiological reactions drain your energy, increase your stress hormones and compound your mental preoccupation by adding physical discomfort.
How to become more self-aware:
- Start a 10-minute daily meditation practice
- Talk with friends about your worries. Simply voicing your fears can provide immediate relief.
- Break large problems into smaller steps and calmly tackle each step
Self-Sabotage #4: Filling Your Body with Low-Quality Foods
Self-sabotage is not just mental; you can also set yourself back through poor food choices. Wolfing down your food, opting for convenience over nutritional value and caving to unhealthy cravings for frozen, fried or fast food inhibits weight loss and drains all the joy out of sharing a meal with family or relaxing during your lunch break “me time.”
How to become more self-aware:
- Visit a luxury weight loss spa to learn about how to start a healthy weight loss program
- Schedule family dinners often and engage your family in healthy meal preparation
- Speak with a qualified nutritionist to learn exactly how your body processes food
Uncovering your own secret self-sabotaging habits and replacing them with more mindful, self-aware solutions can create a stronger and more supportive foundation for your overall wellbeing. Slow down and prioritize your own wellness so that you can be a happier and more supportive partner, parent, employee and friend–and the best possible version of yourself.