It’s convenient to have just one reason why something isn’t working. Sometimes that’s the case (hello flat tire!).
When it comes to health, however, our bodies and our life context are complicated. It’s a system.
I think it can be due to a perfect storm when we’re not feeling our best. I have an example. I’ve been feeling like crap all week.
I unpacked the reasons why. First, my medication was changed slightly starting this week. Stupid U.S. health system and the different insurance providers having different formularies. Different generic meds are different. They can be as different as generics are from name-brand. That’s a rant for another time.
The difference may be slight, but we are finely tuned.
Second, I couldn’t get my usual coffee brand. Different brands probably have different caffeine counts. This brand is delicious and I may have had an extra half cup, compounding the extra caffeine issue.
Third, my bike is in the shop getting the tires fixed. I’m getting less endorphins because I’m getting less cardio.
Boom. I feel more anxious, less energetic, and hence way more procrastinate-y on my to-do list.
Little things add up. This is why I recommend that my clients start with one small do-able habit change and wait a bit to see if consistency makes an improvement. Change is subtle when a bunch of little things are involved. It may be difficult to be patient with the process when the change doesn’t seem to make too much difference. Yet, it’s a change you can stick to. It’s something where you can say, “it’s making *some* difference and every little bit helps. And go me! I’m doing the thing.”
After you get a habit that sticks, you add a new habit. You build up. I can’t tell you when the cumulative effect will kick in. But, it’s going to kick in. You will reach a point where you realize, “hey! I’m feeling so much better compared to where I started.”
And that’s the point.
And, I am SO not having any coffee tomorrow.