When it comes to making healthy lifestyle changes, whether it’s exercising more, drinking less, or starting to practice mindfulness, it’s never as simple as ‘just doing it.’
Here are effective strategies for creating a healthier lifestyle and, more importantly, how to stick to it:
1. Connect Your Lifestyle Change to an Existing Habit
Our days are full of habits, from brushing our teeth to showering, feeding pets, and changing clothes after work. Use these existing habits as your cue to practice new behaviors. For example, your morning cup of coffee could be your reminder to do a 10-minute meditation or practice a new language.
When something becomes a habit, it’s a familiar behavior and doesn’t use up much energy or face much resistance. Knitting it together with an activity you already do can reduce stress and difficulty.
2. Schedule Your Lifestyle Change In
Your calendar can be a great tool for planning and ensuring you allocate enough time for your goals. Put a block of time aside in your calendar to make sure it’s realistic. For instance, if your aim is to jog twice a week, scheduling specific days and times and mentally committing to them is more effective than waiting for the right moment.
3. Think About Your ‘Why’
Focusing on why this change is important to you is a great way to stay motivated. Identify if your motivation is extrinsic (based on what others might think or expect) or intrinsic (coming from a genuine desire within yourself). Intrinsic motivation, linked to your values or something you can develop excitement around, is more effective.
4. Link It to a Bigger Goal or Dream
If you can’t find a strong intrinsic ‘why,’ link your change to a bigger goal. For example, if you’re trying to cook at home instead of getting takeout and have a dream to travel, focus on the money you’re saving for that trip. Visualising your goal can help keep you motivated.
5. Focus on One Change at a Time
It can be tempting to make big, sweeping lifestyle changes, but choose one thing at a time. When trying something new, it takes up a lot of resources. The more new tasks we take on that aren’t yet automated, the more we ask of ourselves.
6. Be Realistic and Create Space for It
Consider what else is going on in your life and what other commitments need your time and energy. If you feel there’s no time for this new activity, be realistic. Remove some other demands or wait until there is more time and space
7. Have a Flexible Mindset
If you miss a day or find it challenging to stick to your new change, be kind to yourself. You don’t have to do things perfectly to make progress. Instead of seeing it as a failure, ask yourself what you can learn from it. Use gentleness and positivity with yourself.
When to Seek Help
If you’ve tried all these tips and still find it difficult to make changes, the reason may be deeper than a lack of self-discipline. Low motivation might come from low mood, or your subconscious might not be ready for the change. You may benefit from support and guidance, such as from a psychologist.
Remember, no matter your age or circumstances, it’s never too late to make a positive lifestyle change and reap the associated benefits. As the saying goes, the best time to plant a tree was 30 years ago, and the second-best time to plant a tree is now.
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*All content and media found on the CheckYourBill Blog are created and published online for informational purposes only. They are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice and should not be relied upon as health or personal advice. Always seek the guidance of your doctor or another qualified health professional with any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of something you have read on this website. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor, visit the nearest hospital emergency department, or call emergency services immediately.
