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August 20, 2024 16 mins

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What makes changing habits so challenging, even when our health is at stake? This episode explores the psychological and emotional obstacles that hinder us from adopting healthier lifestyles. We’ll delve into how our brains are wired to resist change and cling to familiar routines. Learn why new fitness routines and dietary adjustments can trigger anxiety and discover effective strategies to overcome these barriers. By understanding the science of habit formation, you'll be better prepared to make lasting improvements in your health and wellness journey.

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Wellness Riverboat Cruise
Magna On The Danube: https://www.amawaterways.com/destination/europe-river-cruises/2025/magna-on-the-danube

AmaMagna: https://youtu.be/23-5Qy3skM0
AmaMagna: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fM1GHLA2EF4

Flyer link: https://www.canva.com/design/DAGB9S7QIww/ztr_gd0uoOpUR1WMb1agfQ/view?utm_content=DAGB9S7QIww&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=editor

Tami Hiroka
 281.336.7374
 contact@fresitravels.com

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Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:20):
Hello, wellness Warriors.
Welcome back to another episodeof the Wellness Insp inspired
podcast, a place where you canfind inspiration, motivation and
empowerment in the pursuit of awellness lifestyle.
I'm your host, sherry Davidson.
I'm a wellness coach,acupuncturist, trail runner and
former interior designer inHouston, texas, and I am deeply
passionate about health andwellbeing.

(00:41):
And, as always, I'm here withmy co-host, finn, and if you're
new to the podcast, finn is myTerrier, mix Rescue Dog, trail
runner and loyal companion.
He is also a therapy dog andgreeter at Element 5 Acupuncture
and Wellness.
And today we are diving into atopic that hits home for so many
of us change, particularly whenit comes to our health and

(01:03):
wellness.
Did you know, even when facedwith life or death consequences,
only one in seven heartpatients are able to
successfully change their habits.
This statistic highlights justhow challenging it can be to
make lasting changes, even whenour health is on the line.
In this episode, we'll explorewhy change is so difficult,

(01:25):
especially when it comes toadopting healthier habits.
We'll also share practicalstrategies and help you overcome
the obstacles that stand inyour way.
So, whether you're looking tostart a new fitness routine,
improve your diet or embrace amore holistic lifestyle, this
episode is for you, but beforewe get started today, I have
some great news to share withyou.

(01:47):
For all those avid listenerswho've tuned into the podcast
over the past year, you havelikely caught wind of the
Wellness River Cruise.
Well, friends, the moment hasarrived.
Mark your calendars for April,the 20th 2025.
As we set sail on anunforgettable seven-night cruise
along the Danube River, we willtransverse the picturesque

(02:08):
landscape of Austria, germany,hungary and Slovakia.
Prepare for many activesightseeing adventures,
including invigorating hikes,scenic bike rides and even a few
brisk runs, maybe Alongsidethese activities, indulge in the
serenity of yoga sessions,engage in enlightening wellness
discussions and savor theflavors of locally sourced

(02:30):
cuisine.
Excitement is already brewing,as several enthusiasts have
secured their spots.
For those intrigued, I'll putthe link in the show notes.
And if you're certain, thiswellness riverboat cruise is
calling your name, waste no timein securing your place on board
.
This wellness riverboat cruiseis calling your name.
Waste no time and securing yourplace on board.
Riverboat cruises tend to fillup rapidly, which is why we
shifted the dates to next yearinstead of this year.

(02:52):
So don't think about it toolong.
Seize the opportunity while youcan.
And if you're just curious andyou want to learn more.
In episode 63 and 64, a journeyof wellness and wonder on the
Danube with Ammo Waterways, Ihad the pleasure of having
Laurie, a representative fromAmmo Waterways, and Tammy, a
seasoned travel concierge, onthe podcast to discuss the full

(03:14):
river cruise experience, so feelfree to check out those
episodes for more information.
Now this all has to happenquickly.
There are only 129 cabins onthe boat and they will sell out
quickly, so if you're interested, I recommend putting your
deposit down.
It's not a lot to hold yourspot.
Okay, let's dive into today'sepisode of the Wellness Inspired
Podcast.

(03:55):
Change we all grapple withchange.
We all grapple with change, soI thought it would be really
cool to dive into why change canbe so difficult, especially
when it comes to our health andwellness.
Now, this can apply to any areaof your life, but for our
purpose here on the WellnessInspired Podcast, we are going
to specifically talk about whychange can be so difficult when
it comes to our health andwellness.
Change is a fundamental part oflife and it holds immense power

(04:19):
.
Throughout history, the powerof change has shaped society's,
driven innovation andtransformed lives.
Heraclitus, famous, notedchange is the only constant in
life, highlighting thatadaptability is essential for
growth.
Albert Einstein linkedadaptability to intelligence,

(04:39):
asserting that the measure ofintelligence is the ability to
change.
Winston Churchill he emphasizedthe importance of continual
improvement, stating to improveis to change.
To be perfect is to change.
Often Even Charles Darwin,whose work revolutionized our
understanding of life,emphasized that it is not the

(05:00):
strongest of the species thatsurvive, nor the most
intelligent, but the one mostresponsive to change.
These influential figuresunderstood that embracing change
is a necessity and a pathway toprogress, survival and
excellence, and their wisdomcontinues to inspire us to face
the challenges of change withcourage and optimism, knowing

(05:24):
that it is through change thatwe unlock our greatest potential
.
We all know that making positivechanges in our health and
wellness is crucial, but why?
Why is it so often so hard todo?
Whether it's adopting a newexercise routine, altering our
diet or embracing a holisticlifestyle, change can feel like

(05:49):
an uphill battle.
So in today's episode, we'regoing to explore the
psychological and emotionalbarriers that make change
challenging and discussstrategies to overcome these
hurdles.
So this is a broad topic andwe're only scratching the
surface here today, but we'llcontinue to dive into the
subject of change, because weall know change is hard.

(06:13):
So let's first talk about thepsychology behind change.
You see, our brains are wiredto favor routine and the
familiar.
This is a survival mechanism.
Predictability helps usconserve energy and avoid
potential threats.
So when we try to change ahabit, we are essentially going

(06:33):
against our brain's naturalinclination to stick to the
status quo.
This is why even the thought ofchange can trigger anxiety and
resistance.
I'll give you an example.
So if you've been accustomed toa sedentary lifestyle, the idea
of starting a new exerciseregimen might feel overwhelming.
Your brain associates yourcurrent habits with safety and

(06:57):
comfort, making the shift to amore active lifestyle seem
daunting.
In other words, your old youwants to keep you safe and comfy
, while the new you is callingyou forward to be your best.
Now let's consider the emotionalbarriers.
Again, we're just scratchingthe surface here, but let's
consider the emotional barriers.
Change often brings up feelingsof fear and uncertainty.

(07:20):
How many of you haveexperienced that?
We might fear failure, worryabout the opinions of others or
even doubt our own abilities.
These emotions can create asignificant roadblock on our
path to wellness.
So think about the times you'veset a goal to eat healthier or
reduce stress.
So think about the times you'veset a goal to eat healthier or
reduce stress, did you ever feelanxious, wondering if you could

(07:42):
stick to it?
Or perhaps you felt discouragedby past attempts that didn't go
as planned?
These emotional responses arenatural, but can be managed with
the right strategies.
Now you might be wondering howdo we overcome the psychological
and emotional barriers?
Well, here are some strategies,some quick strategies that can

(08:03):
help.
One you want to start small, sobreaking down your goals into
smaller, manageable stepsinstead of overhauling your
entire diet.
Start by incorporating onehealthy meal a day.
Small changes are lessintimidating and can build
momentum over time.
Another way is to find your why.
Understanding your motivationcan provide the drive needed to

(08:26):
push through resistance.
So ask yourself why do you wantto make this change?
Is it to feel more energetic,improve your health or set a
positive example for your family?
Write your why down and put itsomewhere where you see it every
day, because keeping your whyat the forefront can keep you
motivated.
Another strategy is to surroundyourself with a supportive

(08:50):
community.
So, whether it's a wellnesscoach, a friend or a group with
similar goals, having a supportsystem can provide encouragement
and accountability as well as,if you're having any struggles,
you can talk them out with yourpeople.
Another strategy is to be kindto yourself.

(09:10):
This is a big one.
We tend to be overcritical I amnumber one for this but we tend
to be overcritical of ourselves.
So, practicing self-compassion,being kind to yourself.
Understand that setbacks arepart of the journey.
Instead of viewing them asfailures, see them as
opportunities to learn and grow.

(09:31):
This is a learning mindsetinstead of a performative
mindset, and I will do anepisode on a learning mindset
because I think it's a greatmindset shift, because most of
us are operating from aperformative mindset and not
many people really respond tothat.
Okay.

(09:52):
So last one is visualizationvisualize success.
This can be a powerful tool, sospend a few minutes each day
picturing yourself successfullymaking the change.
Imagine how you feel and thebenefits you'll enjoy.
This can create a positivemindset, along with your

(10:13):
learning mindset, and reinforceyour commitment.
And I really thinkvisualization is so important.
You know your brain does notknow the difference.
So visualize, visualize,visualize.
Okay, what I'd like to do nowis give you a real life

(10:34):
application.
I think this helps so much inunderstanding how this can play
out into your life.
It's nice to be able to bringthese strategies to life.
Okay, so let me tell you a storyabout someone who successfully
navigated the challenge ofchange, and we're going to call
her Sarah.
Sarah was a busy professionalwho found herself constantly

(10:57):
tired and stressed.
She knew she needed to makechange, but she felt stuck in
her routine of poor eatinghabits and a sedentary lifestyle
.
Her demanding job left herlittle time for self-care and
she often turned to conveniencefoods and skipped exercise.
The turning point in Sarah itcame during a routine checkup.

(11:20):
Her doctor expressed concernabout her high blood pressure
and her weight, and this was awake-up call for Sarah and she
realized she needed to takeaction for her health and her
future well-being.
So, starting small, this waskey for Sarah.
She began making minoradjustments to her diet, such as
swapping sugary snacks forfruits and vegetables.

(11:41):
She also started incorporatingshort walks during her lunch
breaks.
These small, manageable changeshelps her build confidence and
establish healthier habitswithout feeling overwhelmed,
because remember, your brainwants to keep you safe and
comfortable.
Thank you, brain, but we mustgrow and move forward.
Sarah also found supportthrough an online wellness

(12:03):
community, and it was here thatshe connected with others who
had similar goals.
So this group providedencouragement, they shared tips,
they celebrated each other'ssuccesses.
How nice is that.
Also, sarah turned her eveningwalks into a family activity,
creating a fun bondingexperience for them.
Now, despite her progress whichshe did have progress Sarah

(12:26):
faced setbacks along the way wealways do.
There were days when sheslipped up or felt too tired to
exercise, but she practicedself-compassion and reminded
herself that setbacks are partof the journey.
Instead of getting discouraged,she focused on the progress she
had made and continued to moveforward, to march, keep marching

(12:50):
forward to her goals and, overtime, the changes Sarah made had
a profound impact on her life.
She did exactly what she setout to accomplish she gained
more energy, she lowered herblood pressure and she lost
weight.
So, beyond the physicalbenefits, sarah felt more

(13:11):
confident and positive about herfuture and, with a cherry on
the top, sarah discovered a newpassion for yoga, which greatly
and continued to benefit hermental and physical health.
Now I Sarah's story, I believe,illustrates that while change is
challenging, it is absolutelypossible with the right things

(13:35):
in place, things likedetermination, support and the
right mindset.
So, by starting small, stayingmotivated, seeking support and
practicing self-compassion,which is a very important piece
to all of this, sarahsuccessfully transformed her
health and wellness.
Her journey is a testament tothe power of gradual,

(13:57):
sustainable change and theincredible impact it can have on
your life.
All right, well, we're going towrap this episode up.
So remember change doesn'thappen overnight.
It is a gradual process thatrequires patience and
perseverance.
By understanding the barriersand equipping yourself with

(14:20):
effective strategies, you canmake meaningful changes in your
health and wellness and live amore vital life.
Okay, that's a wrap.
Until next time, stay inspired,stay well and keep embracing
change.
If you like what you hear,please subscribe to the podcast

(14:42):
and share with your family andfriends.
You can also give me a ratingand review.
Wherever you listen to yourpodcast, it helps others find me
as well.
To get updates on new episodesand wellness inspiration in your
inbox, please join the wellnessinspired community.
Go to thewellnessinspiredpodcastcom to
sign up.
I'll put the link to thewebsite in the show notes so you
can click and join.

(15:02):
Also, there's a Facebookcommunity at the wellness
inspired and you can follow meon Instagram at wellness
underscore inspired.
If you're in the Houston area orjust visiting and interested in
our services acupuncture,herbal medicine, cupping,
zinchiatsu or dry needlingtherapy contact us.
You can find out more on ourwebsite at element5omcom.

(15:23):
That's element5, the numberfive omcom, and again, I'll put
the link in the show notes.
If you're interested in healthand wellness coaching, we can
connect in the clinic or on zoom.
Reach out to us and we'll getyou on the schedule.
And, as always, I would love tohear your feedback.
I am dedicated to bringing yougreat content that is inspiring
and informative, with an artsy,fun, edgy spin.

(15:45):
Thank you so much for listening.
We'll meet here again next timeand remember, never stop
exploring, learning, loving andbeing you.
Bye.
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