It seems like so-called “bad” habits are the easiest ones to keep, right? If only it was as easy to do laundry as it was to watch Netflix all night, or splurge on an expensive purchase!
Healthy habits are more difficult to create and sustain, but not impossible! The reason is either because you don’t know how to go about creating the right habit to fold into your routine, or you are trying to take on too much change too quickly. With some focus and dedication, you can be well on your way to achieving healthy habits.
Creating good habits is not black and white, and there will be times where you might slip up. Slipping up every now and then has no measurable impact on your habits. Give yourself permission to make mistakes and don’t let it define you.
The key is consistency.
Know that building healthier habits is a process, not an event. It’s an ongoing process that you have to nurture. It’s the only way it will stick and your healthy habits will grow. Think of a garden. You don’t just water the flowers once and say, “I’m done. I don’t have to do this again.” No! You continue to water the flowers and watch them bloom. The same goes for you and your growth.
Identify that habit you want to change.
What exactly do you want to change? Radically accept that you have this habit. If you avoid it, you won’t solve it. Write it down, tell others about it, keep yourself accountable that you want to change that habit.
Set realistic goals for creating good habits.
We all want a fast change. But you have to be realistic about the habit. Remember that change doesn’t happen overnight! It takes time. Setting realistic goals that separates goals into smaller steps makes the process much more pleasant than setting one big, unrealistic goal. Identify unhealthy actions or patterns and figure out how to make healthier choices. For instance, if you drink too much caffeine throughout the day and it’s beginning to make you jittery and dehydrated, try tossing out the coffee or soda and switching them for tea and flavored sparkling water.
Cut out as many triggers as possible.
If you are an impulsive shopper, try to avoid the mall. Set up website restrictions to stores that you like to limit online shopping. If you tend to procrastinate laundry by watching Netflix, hide your laptop in a different room, or hide the remote in a different room. Make it easier on yourself to break those bad habits by cutting out those triggers!
Measure your progress.
Create a log of your progress. You have every right to be proud of yourself when you are successful at avoiding your habit, but don’t be too hard on yourself when you slip. Even if you skip a few days here and there, reverting back to your journal and physically seeing the energy and time you’ve put towards healthy behaviors will be motivation to keep you going.
Be patient, persistent, and nurture your change.
It takes time for new patterns to replace the old. It’s okay if you’re frustrated if you don’t see rapid progress, just remember it takes time. Be patient with yourself, forgive yourself if you slip up, and stick with it. Nurture the new habits and remind yourself of what you’ve accomplished.
Ask for support with creating new habits when you need it.
Whether that might be a mental health professional, support group or a good friend you trust, don’t be afraid to ask for help to make improvements to your life. And don’t forget to reward yourself (in a healthy way!) for your progress.
Another tip is to really commit to making SMART Goals rather than pressuring yourself into an all or nothing mindset. It’s okay if it takes a while to form a healthy habit. Whether it takes 21 days or 200 days, you have to put in the work and nurture that habit either way.
The only way to get to Day 200 is to start with Day 1. Make that game plan. Write down your goals and steps on how to get there. Use a journal or a planner to keep track of your progress. Be your own cheerleader and write affirmations to yourself. Remind yourself that you are doing a great job, and that any small step is better than no steps at all.
You’re on your way. Right now it may look like one little, baby step. But that tiny step is how you start making those healthy habits.
“The first step to getting what you want is to have the courage to get rid of what you don’t.” – Zig Ziglar, Author and Motivational Speaker
