This article highlights the concept of "Via Negativa" as a powerful tool for behaviour change. Rather than constantly adding more to our lives, the article encourages subtracting first to create space, which can be used to focus on the things that truly matter. Over-scheduling can lead to stress, anxiety, and a fragmented mind, and by embracing the idea of "less is more", individuals can create the time and energy needed to make lasting changes.
More! We live in a world where adding more to our lives is often viewed as a positive thing. More work, more friends, more experiences, and more healthy behaviours.
In the quest for a better life, we often try to do everything, cramming our days with work, learning, leisure, exercise, and a host of other activities shoe-horned into a repeating 7-day cycle.
But what if the solution is not to add more but to subtract first? This is where the concept of Via Negativa comes in.
Less is More
Via Negativa is a Latin term that means "by way of negative". It is a philosophy of improving things not by doing more, but by doing less. Specifically, removing the negative aspects that are holding us back.
The concept has been applied to various areas, including economics, engineering, and health. In the context of behaviour change, it means that instead of adding more healthy behaviours to our lives, we should start by eliminating the negative behaviours that are preventing us from making progress.
The problem with many people trying to change their health habits is that they are often over-scheduled. Between work and family commitments, they have so much going on in their lives that they find change difficult. They are constantly trying to add more into their schedule, particularly regarding healthy behaviours.
For example, they might feel that to improve their wellbeing they need to add in (more) cardio training, (more) strength training, then some (more) recovery work, massage, fasting, ice bathing, time in the sun, and so on.
They feel they need to do everything to be perfect, and if they don't, they do nothing at all.
Being over-scheduled can have a significant impact on an individual's mental health. The constant feeling busyness can create a sense of fragmentation, making it difficult to be fully present and engaged in any given task or activity. It can also lead to a constant feeling of anxiety as individuals feel they have too much to do and not enough time to do it. This can further impact their ability to make positive changes in their health habits, as the stress of an already busy schedule can make it more difficult to take on new behaviours.
By adopting a via negativa approach and removing unnecessary commitments, individuals may find a greater sense of ease, focus, and clarity, which can help them to make more sustainable changes in their health habits over time.
The Via Negativa approach suggests that the starting point for behaviour change is not to add more to our lives, but to subtract first, helping to create freedom and space. By eliminating negative behaviours or habits, we can create the time, energy, and mental clarity needed to make progress towards our goals.
Here are some tips for applying the Via Negativa approach to behaviour change:
Identify the negative behaviours: Start by identifying the negative behaviours that are holding you back. It could be something as simple as watching too much TV, staying up too late, or consuming too much sugar. Write them down and be honest with yourself.
Eliminate the negative behaviours: Once you have identified the negative behaviours, start by eliminating them one by one. Choose the behaviour that is easiest to eliminate first and work your way up to the more difficult ones. You will be surprised how much time and energy you will gain by eliminating these negative habits.
Create space: Use the time and energy you gain from eliminating negative behaviours to create space for healthy habits. For example, use the extra time to prepare healthy meals, exercise, meditate, or learn a new skill.
Focus on essential habits: Instead of trying to do everything, focus on a few essential habits that will make the most impact on your health and wellbeing. These could include regular exercise, eating healthy, getting enough sleep, or reducing stress.
Be consistent: The key to success with Via Negativa is consistency. Make a commitment to eliminate negative behaviours and focus on essential habits every day. Over time, you will see the benefits of creating space in your life and focusing on what truly matters.
Via Negativa is a powerful approach to behaviour change that can help you achieve your health goals by eliminating negative behaviours first. By creating space in your life and focusing on essential habits, you can make a real and lasting change to your health and wellbeing. Give it a try and see how it can work for you.
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