Are you thinking about adopting the type of lifestyle habits necessary to create good health? It would surely make sense to do this. Like being more active? Eating healthier? Drinking more water? We know there is far more to it than deciding to implement more healthy lifestyle habits, because the hardest part is always sticking to them.
If you’ve struggled with habit change in the past (and we all have), today’s article will give you the answer you need to finally start making lifestyle habit changes and KEEPING to them.
How many times have you said something similar to:
I’m going to exercise every day!
I’m going to drink lots of water!
I’m going to start eating better!
I’m going to quit smoking!
I’m going to stop drinking alcohol!
Many times would be my guess, but how long have you stuck to these changes?
The fact is to stick with new lifestyle habits is for most the hard part.
What is a habit? A habit is something you do daily without thinking much about it.
According to the dictionary, a habit is an acquired pattern of behavior that has become almost involuntary as a result of frequent repetition.
“We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” Will Durant
You probably have a habit of waking at a certain time, brushing your teeth a certain way, and following a pretty standard routine most mornings. How long before you’re drinking your first coffee?
I’m sure you’ve all heard the saying ‘Old habits die hard.’ Well they don’t have to, as long as you have a plan to follow. You see changing your lifestyle habits is a process that involves several stages. And these stages are going to take a while.
Making any lasting change is not a one-stop process or overnight event because the brain is not designed to make sudden changes that will be permanent. Your brain is designed to follow patterns of habits and rules. You did not develop negative habits in one day and you cannot rid yourself of these negative habits in a single attempt. It takes 21 consecutive days to create a new habit. Repetition is the secret of success.
“The chains of habit are too weak to be felt until they are too strong to be broken.” Samuel Johnson
So you simply need to make the commitment to yourself to spend the time and energy to create a new lifestyle habit.
Why do most people fail to stick to something challenging, like losing weight or getting in better shape?
They don’t start small. They immediately go all in.
They change everything, which pretty soon results in not changing anything.
So they start slipping. Then they quit.
And soon they’re back where they began.
Sound familiar?
Here’s a far better method. Don’t immediately go all in. Changing your diet, water consumption, hours of sleep, foods you eat etc.
Instead, just start with making one simple change to your day.
Start small – picking ONE habit that’s easily completed. Do it every day.
Starting slowly, focusing on one change at a time, will help you create good health through having a variety of good lifestyle habits which you’ll be able to stick with.
You’ll be building your momentum.
So today, pick one habit and succeed with doing that one thing. Stick with it for 21 days.
Then pick another, and just keep repeating the process.
I’ll join you in implementing a good lifestyle habit. I’m writing this in advance of Monday morning. I want to get back into one of my best old habits, and that is waking at 6am and going straight to the gym. That may be 2 great habits not one. But starting Monday morning, I’m going to do it, and then repeat this for 21 days.
“Nothing so needs reforming as other people’s habits.” Mark Twain
Adopting new, healthier lifestyle habits may protect you from serious health problems like obesity and diabetes. New habits, like healthy eating and regular physical activity, will help you manage your weight and have more energy. After a while, if you stick with these changes, they will become part of your daily routine. The benefits are worth it, so just get started.
What habit will you choose to begin with?
photo credit: Philips Communications Philips Brush Busters App_ via photopin (license)
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