What I Have Learned About Making Change

 

“Exercise. Stress management. Getting enough sleep. Monitoring sugar and salt intake.

Every family physician, nurse practitioner and allied health professional knows the value of health habits and has recommended them to their patients.  Referrals are made to dietitians who educate on diabetes and physiotherapists who design post-surgical treatment plans. We educate on the relationship between high blood pressure and exercise. We talk about stress and mental health.

But more often than not our patients are left to navigate their self care planning on their own. Facing yet another flu season with a run down immune system or weight gain following a stressful work project, our patient’s attempts to make significant changes in lifestyle are often short-lived. At their next clinic appointment, we revisit the same health plan. And frustrated, we wonder why our patients don’t take responsibility for their own health.”

Check out the rest of my article on the Yoga Health Coaching Blog-  Self Care and Health Care: Helping Patients Who Struggle with Change