HEALTH Files THE WAY BACK

Our favourite Empowerment Coach ANAHI BROWN guides us to get our lives back-on-track after the recent Summer Holidays and our bloated stomachs are rejoicing on such favourable intel.

Iget it, we get into the holiday mode and it feels like as soon as the stamp hits the passport, our sense of normalcy evaporates, and we go from calm, controlled, poised and restrained individuals, to hedonistic creatures who, in an attempt to embrace life, solve everything with the magical: “I’ll start after the holidays.”

From budgeting and saving, to exercising and meal planning, during our summer holidays we tend to have a hiatus in adulting and revert to a carefree and, in many cases, highly self-indulgent version of ourselves, favouring ice creams to salads, and Netflix binge sessions to exercising. One way or another, we all have our own version of this and, sadly, they ultimately leave us feeling messy, confused and regretful… yet almost unable to change.

With the summer holidays coming to an end and the last trimester of the year starting, many of us are starting the typical rush to “make 2018 count” and, in the process tackle at least 20% of our long-forgotten New Year Resolutions. This list is all about easy strategies to help you get your life, goals and ideas back on track, sustainably and joyfully: Plan your Comeback: You might be dreading the return (or you might even be excited for some routine), the key here is to plan your Going-Back-To-Normal strategy before you even land. Use the time you have on the flight home or even as you pack your bags wisely to plan, just make sure you have at least an overview of your strategies before needing to use them.

Ninja-Style Execution: Start your routines and commitments from day 1. Many wait a couple of weeks to settle before going back to their healthy habits, in my experience this is a slippery slope to procrastination and regret. Basically, start life back as you want it to continue.

Anchor yourself in Gratitude: Instead of resenting the “off-track” decisions or the tedious everyday life, focus on the ventures and fun you enjoyed, reflect on those memories you made and the joy you felt, reminding yourself that you can only appreciate these because they contrast so much from your normal. It is in these differences that we get to experience true adventures.

Focus on the Why’s: In the end, there is a clear reason behind all the choices you make. We commit to exercising, eating healthily, sleeping better and beyond because we know and crave the paybacks of these in the long run. Instead of dragging your feet around, keep these benefits as your biggest inspiration and motivation. The truth is that what we enjoy on holidays is a product of our everyday decisions and commitments… even the boring ones!

Finally, remember that these changes in routines and ambiance are the perfect opportunity to incorporate new habits and practices, so if there is something you have been craving to change but haven’t had the commitment to, coming back home might just be the best time for it.

@Wellnessbyanahi