The Additive Approach: Transforming Your Life with Positive Habits
Written by: Keriann Hill, CFW Fitness Professional
When journeying toward a healthier lifestyle, the emphasis is often placed on cutting out negative habits—eliminating sugary snacks, reducing screen time, or drinking less alcohol. While these actions are undoubtedly beneficial, there's another approach that can yield equally, if not more, transformative results: the power of addition.
Instead of focusing solely on what to remove from our lives, let's shift our focus to what we can add. Picture it like this: your life is a canvas, and each positive habit you incorporate is a beautiful stroke of color, gradually painting a brighter, healthier picture. Here's how embracing this mindset can lead to lasting change:
- Fueling Your Body with Goodness: Rather than dwelling on what foods to cut out, concentrate on adding nourishing, wholesome options to your plate. Aim to hit the recommended amounts of leafy greens, fruits, lean proteins, and whole grains. As you prioritize these nutrient-rich foods, there naturally becomes less space—and less desire—for less nourishing options. By the time you consume your recommended amount of fruits (1.5-2 cups/day) and veggies (2-3 cups/day), you may be too full for dessert!
- Nourishing Your Mind and Soul: Just as your body thrives on nutritious foods, your mind and soul flourish with positive inputs. Incorporate mindfulness practices, meditation, or moments of gratitude into your daily routine. Engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment, whether it's reading a good book, spending time with loved ones, or pursuing a hobby. By adding these uplifting experiences to your life, there's less room for stress, negativity, and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
- Moving with Purpose: Physical activity should be seen as an opportunity to celebrate what our bodies can do, rather than a punishment for what we've eaten. Find activities that bring you joy and make you feel good, whether it's dancing, hiking, yoga, or simply taking a daily stroll. By adding movement that you genuinely enjoy, exercise becomes less of a chore and more of a rewarding part of your day.
- Cultivating Positive Relationships: Surround yourself with people who uplift and inspire you. Invest time and energy into building meaningful connections with friends, family, and colleagues who support your journey toward health and happiness. By adding positive relationships to your life, toxic influences naturally fade into the background.
- Embracing Balance: Ultimately, the key to sustainable health and wellbeing lies in balance. It's not about depriving yourself or striving for perfection but rather about finding harmony in the choices you make. By adding more positive habits to your life, you create a strong foundation that naturally crowds out the space for negativity and unhealthy behaviors.
In conclusion, the journey toward a healthier, happier life doesn't have to be a relentless battle of restriction and deprivation. By shifting our mindset from subtraction to addition, we open ourselves up to a world of possibilities and positive transformations. So, let's add more of the good stuff—more nourishment, more joy, more movement, and more connection—and watch as the rest falls effortlessly into place. After all, when we fill our lives with goodness, there's simply no room left for anything else.