Buddy-Up: The Trifecta Effect

Although wellness is a personal journey, having someone to share it with is who we are as social creatures. Relationships are central to the human experience, it's divine DNA. Understanding this dimension is an enriched path to our wellness. We were not created to be alone and the same principal applies in trying to find a better version of ourselves.

The buddy system is very under-rated and has beneficial elements we should all move up to our short list. Sharing our wellness adjustments with a friend, coworker, spouse, child, sibling or like minded individual can be a core building block towards maintaining motivation = staying power. Our Buddy Trifecta; Fun-up, Talk-it-up and Build-up.

(1) Fun-up is always good – ginning-up those happy hormones is empirically based as an effective wellness strategy. Multi-purposing our social time with physical activity/fitness are mood enhancers, de-stressors, and habit builders. The anticipation of fun grounds toward habit forming -- and consistency is everything for sustained wellness. The Fun Factor is plenteous, finding the sweet spot is key. Let the fun begin; dance-dance-dance (too many types to choose from), exergames, sports all kinds, rental bikes are every now, scenic walk paths, can you still skate? and the beat goes on! Get up and get busy.

(2) Talk-it-Up – Discussing our individual goals with a buddy helps with support and accountability. As they always do, bumps in the road will happen, but caring viewpoints can help to reset and navigate through the rough spots.

(3) Build-up – Our Best U starts with a Better U! Momentum requires planning, i.e., discussions, time, processes, and resources all through the gentle approach of Kaizen. Smalls steps are the building blocks to the big picture. Our physical activity/exercise, consumption and habits of increasing the good stuff and decreasing the bad stuff... you get it. Planning 101, exploring together what that looks like in our day-to-day regimens... make excuses or make time, pick one. Discussing with our buddy these incremental increases towards our desired adjustments can be life altering.

Whose your Buddy?