Nurturing a Growth Mindset for Optimal Health and Wellbeing
Have you heard the term growth mindset? It's often used in the context of personal or career development, learning, and success. However, this powerful mindset also plays a crucial role in shaping our health and overall well-being.
And by adopting a growth mindset in the context of health, we can transform the way we approach challenges, setbacks, and self-improvement, leading to a happier, healthier life.
So What Is a Growth Mindset?
A growth mindset encourages us to see any challenge as an ongoing journey, rather than assuming we are simply stuck where we are.
In the context of health, that means working to reject the false choice between simply accepting the cards that we were dealt, or focusing only on an unobtainable and unrealistic ideal.
Resilience in the Face of Setbacks
Setbacks can be discouraging. However, a growth mindset allows us to bounce back from these setbacks with greater resilience. Instead of giving up when faced with health obstacles, we see them as lessons, or opportunities to learn and adjust our approach.
Cultivating a Positive Mind-Body Connection
A growth mindset also fosters a positive mind-body connection, acknowledging the interdependence of mental and physical health. When we believe in our ability to improve and take charge of our well-being, we are more likely to engage in practices that promote both mental and physical health. It also helps us to pay attention to our body, learning from our own experiences and making connections between the choices we make and the outcomes we experience as a result.
So, How Do I Adopt a Growth Mindset for Health?
Interestingly, humans often exhibit a growth mindset in one aspect of their lives—their career or relationship for example—even while they feel stuck in other areas, such as health. The good news is that we can change that.
The following steps will help you to cultivate a growth mindset for your health and well-being, and they can be adapted to other areas of your life too:
Accept that it is scientifically proven that you can, in fact, improve. Regardless of past 'failures,' you can make choices that help you achieve your personal health goals.
Remove negative self-talk. By that, we mean paying attention to those statements or supposed 'facts' that your inner voice is telling you will get in the way of progress. ("I don't have the willpower to start exercising" is a classic.)
Take joy in the journey, not just the end goal. That means finding ways to enjoy every step, however small, and to reward yourself when you make progress. (Yes, you deserve that spa day!)
Find people who can help you to see your progress and analyze your challenges. This can include friends, workout buddies, and also your lifestyle medicine practitioner. (Yes, you can make an appointment with us here.)
Move past your fears. Of course, it can be intimidating to put yourself out there, especially if you're afraid of failure. But guess what? Once you get started, you're likely to find that the idea was far more intimidating than the reality.
And finally, perhaps most importantly, accept 'failure' as part of the process. In fact, forget about the idea of a setback being a failure at all. Instead, accept it as an opportunity to observe what works for you, identify what doesn't, and adjust your approach moving forward.
What would you like help with?
Weight Loss and Weight Maintenance
Blood Glucose Management, Diabetes, Insulin Resistance, Hypertension, High Cholesterol, Thyroid Disease, Hormonal Health
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), Perimenopause/Menopause
