Using Metaphors to Improve Your Health
There is no escaping the presence of metaphors. From advertising to poetry, they exist all around us in almost every facet of our lives. The reason for this is that metaphors are far more successful at painting clearer pictures of the world around us than simple description. They help us to convey meaning by creating interesting and compelling comparisons that enable us to effectively share our experiences.
Understanding the metaphors we use
The metaphors we choose to embrace can have a tremendous influence on how we think, act, and feel, which can ultimately impact our health. Therefore, it makes sense to try to understand the health metaphors we use when we refer to our bodies. Recognizing and adjusting the stories we tell ourselves may help to determine our current state of well-being and move us toward an improved quality of life. If you start to believe that your body is a temple, you may be more likely to treat it that way.
Before you begin to adopt more productive healthier metaphors, it is import to become aware of the ones you may already have.
Take some time to complete the follow statements:
- Health is like…
Because…
- Illness is like…
Because…
Once you have filled these in, answer these questions:
- What are these metaphors telling you?
- What do they allow you to believe about your well-being?
- How may these metaphors limit your health goals?
- What do both of these metaphors have in common?
Finding a new metaphor that works for you
When you have completed this process, you may find that you want to fine-tune or altogether change the metaphors you currently have to ones that better align with your health objectives. For example, your belief system surrounding health may be one of struggle and frustration if you view it as battlefield that is constantly under siege. You can begin exploring new metaphors by filling in these statements:
- I want my health to be like…
Because…
- I would prefer illness to be like…
Because…
Be as creative as you can. Metaphors do not have to be rational. This is the perfect opportunity to re-write a new fabulous story that will better define how you want to see yourself. Once you have created new metaphors, take some time to explore how your situation would be different if these metaphors were true. Notice the difference between your old and new metaphors.
Metaphors can be very potent agents of change that may help reframe things in a new and refreshing way. Remember to be creative, make them your own, and most importantly, enjoy the journey!
