“We advising taking a holistic approach to wellness.”
The CHANGES Approach to Wellness
We are bound by the patters we fell into year ago. Setting a wellness goal, and committing to change is nothing short of monumental. In today’s lifestream, we take a deep dive into the CHANGES Model, a biopsychosocial-spiritual framework designed to help you navigate your wellness journey. The model was created by Dr. David Christian in the early 90s and has been validated with those seeking help with clinical depression, anxiety, and weight management.
Holistic Point of View
It is important to take into account the complex dynamics at play as individuals build their foundation for change. This approach to wellness assures an understanding that as you change on element, the others will follow. We must understand the how our physical health, cognitions, emotional responses, patterns of behaviours, social environmental factors, and relationships with others all respond to the goals we set. At the same time, we must provide an environment that fosters self-efficacy and the personal grit needed to adhere to the individual’s wellness goals.
The Model We Suggest
Today you will hear me reference the CHANGES model as our recommended approach to wellness. The specifics are as follows:
CHANGES Approach to Wellness (Elements)
- C – ognitions – An overarching pattern of thoughts, often expressed as cognitive distortions.
- H – ealth – Physiological outcomes and/or complications (diabetes).
- A – ctions – Direct behaviours contributing to the targeted problem.
- eN – vironment – Your physical surroundings.
- G – oals – The types of goals you set, being long-term or short-term.
- E – motions – The feedback you feel.
- S – ocial Environment – The social circumstances either working for or against your identified problem.
