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You are not “broken” and your body is not “broken”.

This is true even if you are dealing with health issues. Yes, there are underlying imbalances that need to be identified and addressed. And to do that, we need to restore the equilibrium between our body’s proper functioning and our environment.

However, there is nothing to “fix”, really.

You were born “whole” and you will remain a “whole” person all your life irrespective of whatever health issues you are facing currently

But that’s not the kind of message that we get from the outside world. 

If we fall ill then we are taught from our childhood that we need to immediately fix it.

For example, if you have a fever then you need to take paracetamol, right?

But has anyone ever told you to take moment to pay attention to why you have a fever? That the fever can be a good thing because it lets you know that your immune system is working as it should. That it is a sign that your body has raised the temperature deliberately so that your immune system can do its job properly of keeping you safe?

You see it’s not about whether we should take medication for our fever or not. It’s “both, and” at times. Maybe we do need to take medication if our temperature shoots up beyond a certain point. At the same time, we need to figure what’s really going on.

I have written earlier about the benefits of using a combination of conventional medicine and Functional Medicine and you can read it here.

I have shared with you 3 reasons why “fixing yourself” just doesn’t work in the long run.

1. Health is NOT the absence of disease

When we fall ill, our default mode is to focus on all the things that are going wrong.

But exactly how is that helpful in allowing us to flourish? To thrive? Not very as a matter of fact.

The thing is, health is NOT the absence of disease!

But that’s exactly how we see it.

That if somehow we can get some tests done, get the surgery done to rectify everything that is wrong with us, and medicate our symptoms, we will be free of disease.

But we don’t stop to ask-

Exactly what kind of quality of life will be living by doing this?

If we are not able to enjoy our life, have fun, travel and explore, and spend time with our loved ones, are we truly “healthy”?

This kind of focus on disease management keeps us from doing the work necessary to lay the foundation for long term health.

If you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.

Wayne Dyer

2. A lack of appreciation makes it hard to sustain health

As the research done by the psychologist Dr Martin Seligman shows us, what is more, effective than trying to focus on what’s wrong with us, we integrate the entire human experience – both the good and the bad.

This is in fact one of the core tools we use in Functional Medicine based Health Coaching. In my own practice of dealing with women with serious chronic illnesses, I use this as an intervention right from the start.

For example, before starting each coaching session, I ask my clients

“What are you celebrating today?”

It’s a question that stops my clients in their tracks.

It makes them realise that in spite of all their health issues, they have much to appreciate in their lives. There is always something to be grateful for.

You see, when you change the way you look at the world, the world changes for you.

3. Missing out on accessing your body’s wisdom

When we are very young, we are naturally in tune with our bodies. We express our emotions freely and often through both laughter and tears. We pay attention to our bodies naturally and make sure that we are getting what we need from our parents and caregivers.

However, as we grow up, we often learn to ignore these important messages. As a result, we can become completely disconnected from parts of ourselves that can often otherwise guide and empower us in challenging circumstances.

By paying attention to what our bodies are trying to tell us (without judgment), we can learn much more than we can ever imagine!

We are also not taught that we have tremendous power to heal ourselves. We are all healers in our own way. Our thoughts, choices, beliefs and actions play a tremendous role in moving us toward health or disease.

If we are not aware of this, we miss out on this very important aspect of our healing journey.

“Body acceptance” actually forms one of the 3 pillars of my coaching programme “Healing from within”. The other two being “Interconnectedness” and “Self care”.

If you would like to know more about how this programme can help you to reverse your symptoms by laying a strong foundation using this unique 3 pillar framework, click here to schedule a free call.

We miss out accessing the immense wisdom that is stored inside our bodies. Wisdom that would guide and support us as we navigate the ups and downs of our healing journey

These are three reasons why so many people are able to get well but not able to sustain health. You can read about a related post I had written about what many people get wrong about long term health and you can read it here.

Stop trying to “fix yourself” and do what is necessary to support your body from a place of acceptance and wholeness. There is a world of a difference between the two!