There are all kinds of reasons folks don't exercise, eat right, or take control of their emotional health. Most people cite time and resistance to change as the biggest barriers, but the truth is, a lot of it comes down to a lack of motivation. People often need a reason to change; in truth they need to redefine their reasons for living. For example, someone who is lonely may not feel motivated to employ self-care measures. He may feel depressed and unsupported by family or community. “What's the point?” he wonders. Low self-esteem and putting others before our own needs are also barriers to self-care. Here are a few more to consider:

• Lack of support. In this highly mobile society, too many people are left stranded and isolated. Not everyone has access to friends and family, and not everyone knows how to ask for help. Reaching out to neighbors, community services, and support groups are a few of the ways to find support. Several words sum it up in a nutshell: find, request, and accept support.

• Lack of hope. Hopelessness arrives at your door in a myriad of ways. Your economic situation can muddle your life, along with isolation and lack of self-confidence. There are a lot of ways to build self-efficacy; you must look for the resources, information, and inspiration to find hope. Seeing a social worker or a psychotherapist may be a good place to start.

• Resistance to change. One of the biggest barriers to achieving a state of wellness is the resistance to change. You may have good reasons for cherishing bad habits, but there's also a certain amount of discomfort that goes along with changing your life. People are creatures of comfort and often resist creating new habits and routines.

Physical and emotional well-being are the cornerstones to living a full and happy life. Your goal is to be the best you can be, even with your concerns, health problems, and daily struggles. Find a new yardstick to measure your growth and success. Realize that certain aspects of your life have changed, and that you may have to redefine your goals. The point is to keep reaching beyond what you perceive as your limits and strive for more. Exercising just five minutes a day is a goal; so is looking for new relationships or starting new hobbies. Whatever your limits, you can always feel better, more hopeful and more alive.