May
1
Our topic this week is communication. Specifically, we’re discussing how to talk to those around you about your health plans. Yesterday we spoke about the importance of including your partner in your health plans. Today, we’re going to talk about family.
Research
In many ways, family is just as important as your partner. They’re the social framework that many of us use to shape our lives. Family is also where we picked up a lot of our habits and preferences. This information is already reason enough to include your family in your health plans.
Families know you. They’ve known you since you were a baby. They know where you got that scar on your knee, why you fear clowns and when you first started liking candied popcorn. They know what kind of food you ate when you were little and they also remember when you first started gaining weight. In short, your family knows your whole history, from birth to present day.
This history is incredibly important when you’re starting to change your life. It can give you ideas about things you once liked and might like again. For example, my family reminded me of the long hiking trips we used to take when I was a child. That’s why I tried hiking again and found out that I loved it. Family can also tell you when you picked up or changed specific habits. This is key to changing those habits.
Most important of all, family can tell you about specific medical issues that might run in your family. Does your family have a history of high blood pressure? Are there genetic conditions that your parents might have passed down to you? These are all important things to know. Once you find out, make sure you talk to a doctor. I am not a medical professional and neither is your family (well, unless there’s a doctor in your family). Make sure you take this information to your doctor, explain to them that you’re trying to become healthier and see if there’s anything you should keep an eye on. In my own case, the doctor said I should pay special attention to wearing sunscreen, since my family has a history of skin problems.
Motivation
Like your partner, your family can be an important source of motivation. They’ve probably noticed how you struggle physically and they might remember when things weren’t always like this. They’ll be overjoyed to see you taking better care of yourself because they love you and wish you the best.
Make sure to explain to your family why you’re making certain changes. Unfortunately, you might have picked up some of your bad habits from your family. So there might be some hurt feelings if you don’t communicate well. When I was growing up, my mother used to cook traditional eastern European food. It was very meat and potato heavy. Over the past few years, as I’ve tried to eat healthier, I’ve switched to different sorts of food. I made sure to explain to her why I was doing this. I told her that I still liked her food but I just needed to watch what I eat a bit more. Rather than be hurt, she surprised me by enthusiastically embracing this new side of me. She now makes vegetarian dishes for me when I come visit and she always has something healthy in the fridge for me to snack on. She understands what I’m trying to do and she’s become one of my strongest supporters.
Preaching
One thing to avoid, and this applies to family, friends and loved ones. Don’t preach. Just because you’re changing your life doesn’t mean everyone else is ready to do the same. What works for you might not work for others. Don’t try to convince your family to make the same changes you’re making. You can lead by example, you can offer help and you can even offer advice, but there’s a fine line between helping someone and pushing them. Avoid crossing that line. It will keep your personal life from getting unhealthy.
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