Welcome to Kitchen Table Medicine! First I would like to officially welcome you to my blog and say thanks for stopping by my “kitchen table” to chat with me about your health care goals. Second, in the spirit of “Motivational Monday”, I would like to give you a starting point of reference for achieving these goals.
Many people read the typical “Twelve Point Plan” from their Naturopathic Physician and feel immediately overwhelmed that they have to do it all at once. Really it is much much more simple than that. In order to be healthier, all you have to do is pick ONE thing at a time to work on until you get it down. Once that becomes a habit you are then ready for the next thing. Perhaps the most important portion of my prescription to you is not the herb, vitamin, or drug I am prescribing; it simply is to “Get more sleep, learn to cook whole foods meals, exercise, and tell people to be nice to you”.
You only need to simply pick one thing off that list in order to be successful at accomplishing all those goals. It doesn’t matter what your jumping off point is because the rest is bound to fall in to place. If you don’t believe me then let’s walk through some basic examples…
Say for instance you decide to deal with your low energy levels by shutting your television off early and giving yourself the gift of one more hour of extra sleep each night, you will most likely eventually have the energy to start exercising. As you get healthier from your new exercise routine, your body will naturally crave unprocessed foods to eat so cooking healthy organic meals won’t feel like a chore. Or conversely you may decide to just start eating better, which would then give you the energy during the day to eventually start exercising which will in turn wear your body out for a good solid night of sleep. Maybe instead you commit to training for a triathlon with a group of friends. From the extra exercise, everyone sleep improves and you all then get the added notion to join a whole foods cooking class together to learn some new healthy recipes.
It will be an adventure.
As your body gets in to a better state of balance making the healthy choice becomes natural because you will start to crave that which is good for you. An unhealthy body craves unhealthy things. A balanced body craves better things, natural things, healthy things, whole foods things.
Trust me. I’m a doctor. I see this kind of thing all the time.
Sometimes we simply need to just start out with asking people to be nice to us while we are making changes. Adopting a healthier diet or lifestyle can feel overwhelming and frustrating especially if you are already in pain or struggling with the news of a recent difficult diagnosis. Be sure to start off by asking for the support from those around you. Explain to them why you are trying to do the things you are trying to do so they will be that much more motivated to help you meet your goals. Invite them to join you in the process of getting healthier.
Forward them this article and tell them what your goal is in the subject headline. You should be able to rely on support from your community. Asking for help gives you the opportunity to reciprocate helping others, and that is the exact “good stuff” that keeps the world going ‘round.
So just pick one thing. Really it is that simple. I promise!
What is your ONE thing you would like to focus on right now?
~Dr. Nicole Sundene
Naturopathic Physician
http://kitchentablemedicine.com
Click here to subscribe using an RSS reader.
To receive our articles by email simply enter your email address below.
©Kitchen Table Medicine ™, LLC
Share This
Popularity: 20% [?]
Other Popular Posts:
- Are you suffering from a TERMINAL case of "The I Can'ts"? (43)
- McInflammation: Are You Really "Loving It"? (35)
- Can you give up dessert? (26)
- Tell Me What is in your Shopping Cart and I will Tell You What is Wrong with You... (25)
- Who are the Villains of the Kitchen Table? (25)
- Fish Oil vs Flax Oil? The Great Debate (24)
- What is Beauty? (22)
- Welcome (21)
- The Healing Power of Mexican Food (21)
- The 3 Day Depression Walk? (21)
Dr. Nicole Sundene is the editor-in-chief of Kitchen Table Medicine. A graduate of Western Washington University for her undergraduate degree, and Bastyr University for her Naturopathic Physician degree, she also spent eight years working as a Medical Assistant for the world renowned leading institute Virginia Mason Medical Center. Throughout her education she had the invaluable opportunity to work side by side with many talented physicians specializing in Family Practice, Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, Otolaryngology, Cardiology, Dermatology, Urology, and Urgent Care. Her alternative medicine education along with training at Virginia Mason combined with the many years spent talking to patients as a telephone triage “nurse” have given her a diverse perspective on health care in America.
Doc, how do you get the extra sleep if you have to study all the time?