2021
It’s a New Year guys!
I interestingly graduated with a degree in Health Psychology last year right in the midst of the pandemic.
Plus I had a flare of my autoimmune condition called Lupus in March of 2020.
I came full circle and got reminded of why I choose to study the subject in the first place. The importance of health has been highlighted by so many, this year especially.
I want to say that I was lucky to fall ill in my first year of college because the lessons I have learnt through it all surpass what I could manage to learn in a classroom, at least not as quickly as I did. But do not be fooled with that positive outlook, I have had my share of negative emotions and the ‘why me?’ thoughts through it all.
I still fall sick. Get stressed, eat unhealthily and sleep erratically sometimes. I’m human and while I have learnt from my mistakes I continue to fall back to my old ways.
For example, I would find ways to stay healthy both mentally and physically throughout my school year, though during my dissertation submission I freaked out. I ate anything, did things I knew would be harmful and I was what you would call a ‘total mess’.
This year I had a bigger struggle and I didn't want to talk about health or trying to cope with chronic illness because I felt like a failure.
This was until my yoga teacher said something to me that changed my perspective.
My friends or anyone who’s known me a few years knows that I have horrible posture. My teacher pointed out the alignment of my back in the initial classes. But one day she said to me “our muscles get lazy, we need to constantly remind ourselves and train our muscles because they forget”.
This was so true! This applies to our lives and our health too. Knowing this I’m ready to enter into 2021 knowing that I have control over my body, but I also need to train it and prevent myself from slacking sometimes.
So I thought that it might be cool to look back at what I had learnt. Remembering what worked or what I did would help me in employing those strategies in different situations.
I am not a nutritionist or a doctor of any kind. My knowledge is a blend of my own personal journey with a chronic illness, my music therapy background and more recently my masters in Health Psychology. I have also just certified as a Holistic Health Coach and I hope to bring some of that to this blog.
If you're interested in any of the following topics watch out this space for more.
- The mind-body Connection
- Health Psychology and Health Behaviour change
- The triad of exercise, sleep and nutrition and its importance in holistic health.
- Movement and Exercise Psychology
- Indian Psychology with a focus on yoga, meditation and breathwork
Love & light and all things bright!
Love,
Yamini
#healthpsychology #newyear #holistichealth #growth #development #livingwithlupus #healthbehaviourchange #immunity
