5 reasons people are resistant to changing their health

Living with chronic inflammatory symptoms such as headaches, brain fog, fatigue, and skin issues can be a challenging and unpredictable journey. I have been there.

I lived with autoimmune symptoms for over 25 years, and it was only when my symptoms got to the point that I couldn’t lead an ordinary life anymore that I realised that I needed to make meaningful and lasting changes to my life. 

Despite the availability of treatments and lifestyle modifications that can improve your quality of life, many people with chronic illness or inflammatory symptoms just put up with this and are resistant to making the necessary changes, as I was. 

This resistance can stem from a variety of emotional and practical factors. In this article, I want to share with you five key reasons why people often struggle with making changes to their health.

1. Lack of faith in the process

One of the most significant barriers to change is a need for more faith that the new approach will actually work. 

For example, if you have an autoimmune disease, managing your condition may often require making substantial lifestyle changes, such as altering your diet, increasing physical activity, or adopting new stress management techniques. 

However, if past efforts to manage symptoms have been unsuccessful or if the changes required seem overwhelming, it can be difficult to believe that a new method will yield different results. This scepticism can lead to a reluctance to try something new, especially if it involves significant effort or sacrifice.

When I was making changes in my own health, the results I saw didn’t follow a straight-line trajectory, which was what would throw me off track in the past. However, once I started believing that the protocol I was following would work in the long run, outside of the short flares I was still experiencing, it helped me to continue on. 

If you have a chronic illness, logging your symptoms and the severity and length of any flares can help you to see progress, even when you still might not be feeling your best. 

2. Fear of the unknown

Change inherently involves stepping into the unknown, and for those living with a chronic illness or autoimmune disease, this can be particularly daunting. The fear of change is not just about the uncertainty of the outcomes but also about how these changes will impact daily life. 

Questions like "What if this makes things worse?" or "How will this affect my current routine?" can create a mental block. 

Additionally, the fear of experiencing new symptoms or side effects from different treatments can make sticking to familiar habits more comforting, even if those habits aren't beneficial.

I followed several protocols to improve my health, including a gut protocol and an anti-viral protocol, both of which significantly improved my health. I had flares of symptoms like skin rashes and fatigue as I was going through them, but when planned properly, it is easy to manage this. 

3. Attachment to unhealthy habits

Over time, you can become attached to certain habits, even if you know they are detrimental to your health. 

For those with autoimmune diseases, unhealthy behaviours — such as poor diet, lack of exercise, or inadequate sleep — might provide temporary comfort or relief. These habits can also serve as coping mechanisms in dealing with the emotional and physical toll of your illness. Letting go of these habits means losing a perceived source of stability, making the idea of change even more challenging.

I have seen this many times in my clients: Their daily activities or habits, like overdoing it, eating ultra-processed foods, or not liking vegetables, are having the biggest impact on their condition, and once we correct this, they see huge improvements in their health. 

4. Lack of guidance or knowing what works

Many of the comments I see in my clients' intake forms are that they are overwhelmed with the amount of health information and have no idea what will work for them. 

Chronic illnesses are complex, and finding the right combination of treatments and lifestyle changes can be a process of trial and error. Without proper guidance, you may feel lost or overwhelmed by the many options available. This uncertainty can lead to inaction, as you may need help knowing where to start or how to identify what will work best for your unique situation. Without a clear roadmap, the path to better health can seem too daunting to undertake.

Learning what works for you can take time, but you can find out through observation, journaling, and trial and error. 

You can also work with a nutritionist like myself to help you identify the root cause of your symptoms, address this head-on, and quickly find relief from them. 

5. Absence of clear goals

Setting clear, achievable goals is essential for progressing in any area of life, including health management. However, many people with health issues need help to define what they want to achieve. 

Specific goals can make measuring progress, staying motivated, and understanding the purpose behind making changes more manageable. A vague intention to "feel better" may not be enough to inspire action, whereas concrete goals — such as reducing medication dependency, improving energy levels, or increasing physical activity — can provide a more tangible incentive for change.

I always start the first appointment with my clients by asking them to restate their health goals, which we keep coming back to over our time working together.

Understanding the reasons for resistance to change can provide a sense of relief and comfort, knowing that you are not alone in your struggles. This awareness can be a significant step towards overcoming these barriers and making positive changes in your health. You are not alone in this journey. 

With the right mindset and support, change is not only possible but can lead to significant improvements in your health.