Make a plan, Stan:
When confronted with a diagnosis, you will most likely want to learn as much as you can about it. My advice: research, but with discernment. Endless Google searches of your diagnosis will undoubtedly lead you to some pretty dark places. Know when to get off the computer. Look for varied sources, and focus on finding the positive, encouraging ones.
I encourage you to learn as much as you can, so that you can be an integral part of your own treatment team. Know what questions to ask of your practitioners. Find out about available treatments, both alternative and allopathic. If your doctor recommends pharmaceuticals, find out about side effects. Do your research before making a decision, and don’t let yourself be bullied by doctors or anyone else.
You are your own best advocate.
Find out how you can best support your health through diet and lifestyle, even if you do decide to take pharmaceuticals.
Realize that you are a unique individual. What works for someone else, may not work for you. Ultimately, you have to listen to your body and follow your heart when making decisions about your health.
If you decide that diet and lifestyle changes may benefit you (and they will, you know), make a plan for bringing new habits into your life. Making huge changes all at once doesn’t work for most people, so decide what area you want to start with. Getting to bed earlier, moving your body daily, meditating, cleaning up your diet….
There are many steps you can take. Plan what changes you will make, when you will introduce them, and HOW you can make them work for you. Again, working with a professional and building in support and accountability will turn these changes into habits that stick.
Read the other parts of this series here, here and here.
(Make sure you join my mailing list to find out about my upcoming group coaching program, where we will be working together to make lifestyle changes that will have the most impact on your health and happiness.)
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Thank you.