It makes total sense – when you’re hungry, eat. When you’re tired, rest. When you need to go to the bathroom, go.
The body and mind work together to take care of our basic needs.
Why is it, though, that many of us struggle with specific types of physical and mental health maintenance?
I was speaking to someone the other day. She said that she used to practice yoga, and that when she used to practice, she felt amazing. Now as a senior citizen, she struggles to get up and down off the floor, and that worries her. I asked her why she doesn’t return to practicing yoga, and her reply was quick and simple: laziness.
Even though she knows it would help her mobility, she knows she would enjoy it, and she knows it could possibly even prolong her life, she still won’t do it.
Most of us have experienced this type of laziness over something during our lifetime; all of us should be able to relate. However, if we sincerely want to change this type of lack of action, I suggest we stop labeling ourselves as “lazy.” The label makes it sound like inaction is just a part of who we are, something unchangeable like the length of our bones, and it makes it too easy for us to give up. Instead, I suggest recognizing our inaction as a self-regulating problem.
Self-regulation is the process by which individuals monitor and control their attention, thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to achieve goals and adapt to changing circumstances. (psychology.wfu.edu)
Self-regulation is something that can be adjusted and improved, kind of like how a thermostat works. Too cold in your home? Simply adjust the thermostat to regulate the heat. Not practicing yoga, even though you know it will help you feel better? Simply adjust your mental thermostat.
In order to adjust your “mental thermostat,” first determine what is stopping you from making the desired action. You have a desired action, but there is something about that action that is not desired. Then, adjust your focus and/or your attitude to the necessary degree to inspire action.
Let’s take a look at an example:
Many people say they want to start practicing yoga, but can’t find the time.
Any activity can be yogic when you keep your attention on the breath, and use deep, diaphragmatic breathing to set the pace of your movement. Walking up and down the isles of the grocery store, hand-washing dishes and shoveling snow are all great activities to practice this. And this way, no extra time is needed from your day to practice yoga.
Attitude Adjustment: Dial down the amount of time you think is necessary to receive benefit.
When you’re starting from no amount of time spent at an activity, any amount of time will be an improvement. Start with 15 minutes, 10, 5, 3, or even just 1 minute. Keep in mind that some of the benefit you’re receiving from the activity is learning how to self-regulate.
And, here’s another example:
Many people say they want to start practicing yoga, but they are concerned about injury.
The practice of yoga can be physically challenging, but the purpose of the positions are meant more for bringing awareness than to cause difficulty. Therefore, if you have a “bum knee” for example, just skip any position that seems it could cause damage. Then, you’ll have nothing to fear.
Attitude Adjustment: Dial down thinking that you’re missing out on something.
Yoga is a holistic practice, and every position brings energetic health and vitality to all parts of you, even if the intensity of where you feel a stretch changes from position to position. And if you like, for every position you have to skip, add in another position that you enjoy, even if it means repeating a position.
When our thoughts shift from “Why am I so lazy?” to “What needs adjusting right now?” we are invited into a quieter, more compassionate relationship with ourselves. Self-regulation reminds us that sustainable change doesn’t come from force, guilt, or grand gestures, but from small, thoughtful adjustments made again and again. We transition from struggling with our thoughts into a natural, ongoing conversation between body and mind. And the best part? When we stop framing our excuses as failures of willpower or character, and instead view them as opportunities to self-regulate, our yoga practice has already begun.
