health & wellness
THE FALSE VORTEX OF SOCIAL MEDIA HEALTH b y Ta m a r a N o l i n
In these trying times that currently have our mental state in a constant cycle of peaks and valleys, the tendency for some has been to have difficulty summoning the motivation to engage or participate in their physical wellbeing. Given the stresses of our surroundings over the past year, it’s been quite the shift in not only finding ways to be active but finding the motivation. Given that we had switched much of our visual stimulus to online or on a screen, there was much to soak in with regards to social media fitness apps, food plans, health groups, and workout clothing advertisements. Because of that, patterns emerged that affected our ability to adapt and keep active in a more constructive and mindful way.
Picture Perfect For many, the pressures that come with being bombarded with what seems like a perfect picture of health or fitness on every platform imaginable doesn’t always lead to a motivating feeling. Much of what we see perpetuates an incredibly false, filtered, or highly exaggerated standard of positivity. It feeds us a narrative that can seem unattainable. How do we combat being motivated in a False Vortex of Health? This has been the consistent feeling among many of my clients, and others as we look to keep ourselves uplifted with more activity at home
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Realistic Goal Setting Currently, the idea of goal setting seems daunting as we have so much on our minds. Much like we would make lists for smaller things, being active in making lists for our wellbeing doesn’t have to be an all or none thing. Nor does it have to be grandiose. In my many years working with clients, the smaller steps are always the most successful and the easiest to add to. It’s tangible and realistic for where you are at, now. Nothing feels better than something tangible and doable for the good of yourself, for yourself. For example, week one you break every day into sections of four topics to accomplish what you know deep down would bring you a few steps closer to better health
Contribution, Elimination, Congratulation, Evaluation Contribution. Before you start your day, write down and promise yourself to include three servings of veggies in your day, and switch to very small treat during lunch time when you are more likely to use those calories versus at night. Then add a goal to go for a 20 min walk with your favorite playlist. Zoom call a friend for a small workout and add five things to a list of things to get done or hire a trainer to see you at least once a week, so you have scheduled time. Some of us even do
