Holidays are important, whether you go away somewhere exotic, or have a staycation.

But the important question is, why do we like to go on holiday?

• To kick back, relax and be happy.
• Or to have a change of scenery and enjoy a different environment.
• Maybe to escape it all and have some adventure, fun, and excitement.
• Or perhaps you have a personal goal to fulfil.

Whatever the reason, you go away to help you feel different in some way.

When we decide to go on holiday we plan don’t we?

Where we’re going to go?

When?

Plan your travel arrangements and accommodation.

Passport, insurance, currency,

Who with.

What we need to take.

Perhaps we need to organise the pets to be looked after and extra care for elderly parents.

There’s a lot to do when you see it written down but we put in the time and effort so we have a great experience and memories to look back on.

How is this related to giving your well-being a holiday?

The point I’m trying to make here is, that when we go on holiday we like to go somewhere new or revisit an old favourite.  We do our best to plan something we will enjoy, and give us something we’re not experiencing day to day. Let’s face it you’re not going to plan a holiday that you know you will hate, disappoint you, making you feel upset and unfulfilled.

You may be wondering what this has to do with difficult and painful emotions, feelings and thoughts.

I will explain. 

If we spend so much time and energy managing a one or two week holiday to make it as a wonderful experience as possible why do we not do this when managing our well-being?

After all, managing our well-being is for the rest of our lives not just one or two weeks.

I would like you to consider something about your well-being.

• Why do we allow our negative emotions, feelings and thoughts to rule us?
• Why do we allow them to live rent-free in our heads?
• Why don’t we manage them like we do our holidays?
• Why don’t we put the same amount of time and energy into our mindset and well-being as we do with planning our holidays?

There is a wide range of reasons it can be hard to manage our well-being, long term.

One of the differences is, that holidays can quickly give us a great sense of satisfaction.  It gives us something to look forward to and keeps us going through the grind of daily life.  But, we know we’re going to be going back home to what we know whether it’s ideal or not.

Other reasons why it can be hard to allow our well-being to have a holiday.

• Lack of Time and Energy. Many people have demanding jobs, family responsibilities, and social obligations, leaving little time or energy for self-care. Constant fatigue and exhaustion can make it hard to prioritise well-being activities.
• Lack of Knowledge or Awareness. Some individuals may not be fully aware of what constitutes good well-being practices or how to implement them effectively. Conflicting information about health and wellness can be confusing and discouraging.
• Perceived Effort vs. Reward. People often prefer activities that provide immediate gratification over those with long-term benefits. Without immediate results, maintaining motivation can be challenging.
• Mental and Emotional Barriers.  High levels of stress or anxiety can drain the mental energy needed to focus on well-being. Mental health issues like depression can reduce motivation to engage in self-care.
• Social and Cultural Factors. In some cultures, there may be less emphasis on self-care or mental health. Expectations and pressures of society can lead people to prioritise other aspects of life over their well-being.
• Economic Barriers. Many well-being activities, like gym memberships, healthy foods, or therapy, can be expensive. Limited access to resources and services can be a barrier for those in low-income or remote areas.
• Habitual Patterns. Changing long-standing habits and routines can be difficult. People tend to stick to familiar behaviours, even if they are not beneficial.
•  Lack of Support. A lack of encouragement or support from friends, family, or community can make it harder to commit to well-being practices. Without someone to hold them accountable, individuals may struggle to stay consistent.
• Personal Beliefs and Attitudes. People with low self-esteem might not feel they deserve to invest in their well-being. Some may be sceptical about the effectiveness of wellbeing practices.

If you don’t like where you’re at with your health and well-being, where would you like to be compared to where you are now?

Is it time to send your habitual negative well-being packing?

If so, this is how you can get started with managing your well-being more easily.

• Setting long-term and short-term goals to achieve easily based on what you want to be thinking and feeling instead. 
• Find a great support team to be with you on this journey to a happier life.
• Learn more about how you can live a healthier lifestyle. 
• Create a new realistic regime that gives you that new fire for change but fits in with your family life.
• Be committed to change allowing you to live a happier, smarter, life with great positive well-being habits.