"Growth is not steady, forward, upward progression.  It is instead a switchback trail; three steps forward, two back, one around the bushes, and a few simply standing, before another forward leap." - Dorothy Corkville Briggs

It can be discouraging when you attempt to make changes in our lives only to fail over and over again.  But this brings up the question, was it really a failure?  The fact that you tried means you made it to the 4th level of change and you were only 1 level away from a permanent change.  Good for you!  The reason why most people are not successful with change is the plan for success was not fully laid out.  The key to successful change is more than simply setting a goal.  The goal must be smart and achievable and you must identify your motivators.  You must address the barriers to progress.  This is the part were most people lose their way.  Either you did not effectively identify the barriers or you simply blew them off in an attempt to make a run at your goal without a clear path.  Your must be honest with yourself when planning for success by not overlooking these barriers and then make strategies to help you mange them.  Wellness coaches are trained to help you grow and avoid to many steps back, too many steps off the path, or standing still.  Lets take that leap!

No one likes to feel hungry, just the stomach growling alone is very annoying.  What many people don't realize is the effect being hungry has on your mental state.  Brain fog, confusion, and emotional intensities are often associated with low blood sugar. Glucose (blood sugar)  increases your level of self-control.  Therefore when your blood sugar is in the normal range, you make better choices.  Now take a minute to think about how this can effect different aspects of your life.  For example, a recent study performed at Ohio State University, found that married couples acted more aggressively and were more frustrated with their spouse when their blood sugar was low. Getting mad at your spouse is a part of being married, but if you can better manage your anger, it would improve your marital happiness.  


So how can you avoid being hangry, yes it is a word?  

• Choose foods with a low glycemic index.  This will help keep your blood sugar level and avoid severe highs and lows.
• Eat 6 times a day.  This also helps to maintain a normal blood sugar level.  Have you ever went a long period of time without eating and then binged on high carb foods because you were so hungry?  This is the lack of self-control brought on by the low blood sugar
• Eat breakfast within an hour of waking.  Breakfast gives you the first dose of sugar for the day and is needed to raise your blood sugar to a normal level after fasting all night.

 

We are vastly different in how we look, feel, act, think, and believe.  But we all share one thing in common, our need for empathy.  Empathy can be described as a respectful understanding of someone's unique experiences, thoughts, and feelings.  Empathy is the abililty to put yourself in someone's elses shoes and let go of your judgement.  We have a need to be heard and understood by others.  Think back to a time when your need for empathy was met and how it made you feel to know that the other person was able to understand where you were coming from. Often the most memorable moments are the ones where someone totally opposite of you or a complete stranger provided empathy.  Empathy does not require you to agree with the other person.  Your beliefs and values make you who you are just as they do for someone else.

I challenge you to remember empathy when dealing with others. Sometimes just listening to someone without judgement, criticism, or fixing can provide a path for a connection.  You may find that embracing empathy can open your heart and mind to the uniqueness of the world around you.