What if you could transform your life to align perfectly with your values, and in the process, find yourself back at a size 10, living closer to nature, and thriving in health and vitality? For Sarah, a 42-year-old environmental consultant, this wasn’t just a dream but a reality she achieved through a transformative journey.
“Back to a size 10, living closer to nature, living a life more aligned with my true values (one of which being health and vitality).” — Sarah, 42
Sarah’s story reflects a struggle many face: a disconnection between one’s values and daily life. It’s common to feel misaligned with the ideals of health and vitality, especially when life gets in the way. Despite a desire to embrace a more natural lifestyle and return to a healthier size, the pressures of daily life, job responsibilities, and societal expectations can create obstacles.
The constant pressure to conform to a hectic lifestyle often leads to neglecting personal health. Over time, this disconnection can result in feeling out of sync with one’s values, leading to frustration and dissatisfaction. Many find themselves stuck in a cycle of striving for a healthier lifestyle without making the deep changes necessary to achieve it.
Her Mistake:
Sarah’s initial approach to achieving her health goals involved intermittent dieting and sporadic exercise routines. Like many, she focused primarily on short-term changes rather than addressing the deeper, underlying factors that were impacting her well-being.
A critical mistake was prioritising external changes without integrating them into a broader, value-driven lifestyle. Sarah’s previous attempts were surface-level solutions that didn’t align with her core values of health and vitality, leading to temporary results and recurring setbacks.
The Science:
The Role of Lifestyle Alignment in Health: Research underscores the importance of aligning lifestyle choices with personal values for long-term health and satisfaction. Studies suggest that when individuals make changes that reflect their core values, they experience greater motivation, adherence to healthy behaviours, and overall well-being .
The Impact of Natural Living on Health: Evidence indicates that living closer to nature has numerous health benefits. Exposure to natural environments is associated with reduced stress, improved mood, and enhanced physical health . Engaging in outdoor activities and connecting with nature can positively impact mental and physical well-being .
The Benefits of Sustainable Changes: Long-term health benefits are best achieved through sustainable changes that are integrated into daily life. Research shows that adopting gradual, value-aligned changes promotes better adherence to healthy behaviours and improves overall health outcomes . Sustainable lifestyle modifications lead to lasting improvements in health and vitality .
The Sustainable Solution to her Problem:
To achieve lasting alignment with your values and health goals, consider the following approach:
- Define Your Core Values: Identify and articulate your core values related to health and vitality. Understanding what truly matters to you will help guide your decisions and actions.
- Integrate Values into Daily Life: Make changes that align with your core values. This may involve adopting a lifestyle that prioritises natural living, such as spending more time outdoors, eating whole foods, and reducing environmental toxins.
- Set Realistic, Value-Aligned Goals: Establish goals that reflect your values and are achievable within your current lifestyle. Break these goals into smaller, manageable steps to ensure gradual and sustainable progress.
- Create a Supportive Environment: Surround yourself with supportive people and resources that reinforce your values and health goals. This may include joining groups with similar values or seeking guidance from a coach who understands your journey.
- Embrace Holistic Practices: Incorporate holistic practices into your routine that support your overall well-being. This may include mindfulness, stress management, and activities that connect you with nature.
If Sarah’s journey resonates with you and you’re ready to align your lifestyle with your values, I’m offering a free two-week coaching programme to help you get started. Reach out to explore how my deep health coaching can support you in achieving a healthier, more fulfilling life.
References:
- Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). “Self-Determination Theory and the Facilitation of Intrinsic Motivation, Social Development, and Well-Being.” American Psychologist, 55(1), 68-78.
- Kaplan, S. (1995). “The Restorative Benefits of Nature: Toward an Integrative Framework.” Journal of Environmental Psychology, 15(3), 169-182.
- Sallis, J. F., & Owen, N. (2002). “Ecological Models of Health Behaviour.” In Health Behaviour and Health Education: Theory, Research, and Practice (pp. 462-484). Jossey-Bass.
- Thoreau, H. D. (1854). Walden; or, Life in the Woods. Ticknor and Fields.
This article highlights Sarah’s successful journey to aligning her lifestyle with her values and achieving a healthier, more vibrant life. If you’re ready to embrace a lifestyle that reflects your core values and achieve similar results, click here to contact me for a free two-week coaching programme tailored to your needs.