HEALTH & WELLNESS THE FALSE VORTEX OF SOCIAL MEDIA HEALTH

THE FALSE VORTEX OF SOCIAL MEDIA HEALTH

by Tamara Nolin

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

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

online training. You would be surprised at how even 20 minutes make the mind feel engaged and open to reevaluation. That’s exactly what health and fitness is to one’s life, a contribution.

Elimination. Now improve your success by honestly recognizing the things that block your goals. Reduce Netflix, make the kids a snack plate instead of a bigger meal to save you time, cut back the scrolling on social media for what you know to be useless time-wasting activities (pull yourself away, it’s not helping you), or simply call a friend on speaker phone to vent while you walk. Just do.

Congratulations. Add yourself to a fitness or health group that you can participate in sharing your small steps. The responses you will get are well worth the small effort to participate. You will find others will give you a boost of additional activity, or a partner just to bounce ideas off. Have a friend keep a calendar for you, and vice versa to color in the day that you each accomplished. Congratulate the small attempts as well and recognize you started the goal.

Evaluation. For every good thing you are including, remember there will be something that will get easier over time, as it’s never a punishment. This is where forgiveness and evaluating what’s realistic is key. Build onto the things that you make happen for your day. What’s realistic often may not be what you see reflected on social media as the norm. Add on to what worked the first time and allow yourself flexible expectations. In an era of instant outcomes, quick fixes, and the false expectations shared on social platforms, we forget that it’s not necessarily the norm and it never shows the viewer a complete picture. Finding people that share your wants and needs to be successful is incredibly uplifting. Join several as it will keep you a little busier with the reminders of people trying to make changes like you are.

Motivation is not merely an action you need or feel. You have to create it, like you would a recipe. It’s a choice of what ingredients you add to make your outcome something you would like to achieve daily. Our days are not like we used to know, and it is getting easier to have stress lead the way. Health and fitness don’t have to come in packets of 90 min for five times a week, but 20 minutes twice daily, or 10 minutes four times daily. When we change the pattern of negative energy, and negative health habits even for 10 min, you are more likely to go on to another 10 more listening to your favorite songs or a great podcast, thinking of your day, or remembering a place you once visited.

The feeling of accomplishment is most infectious and as long as it serves you in a direction that is both realistic and allows forgiveness, you will look forward to more, rather than look back.

Impacting change through perseverance, Strength in motion,

Tamara Nolin

Did I get more veggies in, drink more water? …yes. Did I do 20 min for a walk? …no I did 10.

GREAT! DO IT AGAIN!

Tamara has served Strathcona County, Edmonton and Fort Saskatchewan for well over a decade. She has competed at the provincial level in the Alberta Body Building Association and currently owns Real Body Wellness. She focuses on eliminating time wasting protocols and emphasizing proper biomechanics with an attention to postural needs. Find her on Facebook