This is a tool I use at the beginning of the Health Counseling process, in order to help people focus on the areas of their lives which could most benefit from some loving attention and effort. Hope you find it helpful in your journey towards improved health.

Holistic Review of All Aspects of a Well-Balanced Life

Food, and how you choose to eat, is very much linked to your other habits, practices, and overall life circumstances. The degree to which you feel fulfilled in all areas will partially determine how well you are able to adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle. Similarly, when you nourish yourself with good food, you will find you have a better ability to get your needs met in all other areas and create the life you most desire.

This list can be used to help you evaluate and track where you are with respect to each dimension. Indicate your “initial status” by assigning a number from “1” (indicating a lot of attention is required in order to more fully develop this area) to “5” (indicating this area is exactly the way you want it). Explain your number by noting the aspects of each dimension that you consider to be working well for you and/or those needing improvement next to “comments”.

Of course, everyone has areas of their life in which they would like to see some improvement, and just like anything else, addressing these issues is a process that you must consistently work on. Remember that every journey begins with one step. If you make commitments related to work you want to do in any of the areas in which you are currently displeased with your status, and put in the effort to follow through on your action steps, you will start to see the connections between addressing these other aspects of your life and your relationship with food and eating. And you will most certainly experience an improved ability to make the choices that are best for your overall health.

Relationship with Food/Home-Cooking-  Does what you eat contribute to your good health, energy, and help you feel your best all the time? Do you keep a supply of healthy whole foods at home and are you comfortable preparing meals for yourself with ease? Do you use food to nourish yourself and provide for your physical needs, rather than to fulfill emotional needs that could be addressed more effectively in other ways? Are you generally “present” while you are eating, taking time to focus on the experience, enjoying it and allowing it to register with your body?

Initial Status:     1    2    3    4    5

Comments:
Physical Exercise- Is regular physical activity a part of your routine? Do you have the tools you need, if appropriate, to make this easy? Do you enjoy the exercise that you do?

Initial Status:        1    2    3    4    5

Comments:

Spirituality/Mental Health Practices- Spirituality means something different to each person, but most of us thrive when we feel connected to something/someone bigger than ourselves, however one might define that. Do you have practices that keep you focused on your source of energy/inspiration/strength? Do you feel whole, complete and self-contained in a way that allows you to be at peace no matter what is going on in your environment?

Initial Status:        1    2    3    4    5

Comments:

Relationships: Do your relationships nourish you and provide comfort? Are you on good terms with the people in your life and are you able to accept them the way they are? Have you found ways to communicate honestly, work through conflict and stay connected to the people who are most important to you?

Initial Status:        1    2    3    4    5

Comments:

Career: Do you have work (in or outside of the home) that is fulfilling to you? Do you have an opportunity to express your creativity in your chosen profession? Do you have good relationships with the people you work with? Are you able to keep a reasonable schedule, allowing time for a focus on other aspects of your life so that you feel well-balanced?

Initial Status:        1    2    3    4    5

Comments:

Finances: Do you have the resources you need to support yourself? Are you finances in good order? Do you feel in control of and generally good about the ways you spend your money?

Initial Status:        1    2    3    4    5

Comments:

Self-Care: Do you know what nurtures you and keeps your energy up? Do you regularly  include these kinds of activities in your routine? Do you often do things that bring you joy?

Initial Status:        1    2    3    4    5

Comments:

Home Environment: Is your home environment peaceful and orderly? Do you feel your  surroundings are pleasant to you? Do you have only those things that are useful and/or beautiful/meaningful  to you in your home?

Initial Status:        1    2    3    4    5

Comments: