As the New Year approaches, many of us reflect on our lifestyle choices and think about how we can improve our health and well-being. Your resolution may be to start exercising more. Or drinking more water. Or meditating. Whatever healthy habit it is that you want to incorporate into your life - high five! Having the willingness to make a positive change is the first step in actually going through with it because developing healthy habits can be the key to achieving your wellness goals. Now the question is, how will you turn your goal into a part of your day-to-day life? You’re going to do it in bits and chunks, my friends. Here’s a guide to help you start small, embrace manageable chunks, and stay on track throughout the year. Read on for the simplest and most effective ways to develop new, healthy habits and keep them for life - new years resolution habits made easy.
Start Small
One primary reason why people fail to stick with their goals is that they go to extremes. If you haven’t been motivated to meditate for an hour a day so far in your life, what makes you think you will suddenly have the willpower to do it tomorrow? The journey to better health doesn’t have to be overwhelming. But if you start with something tiny, it’s a lot easier to find the motivation you need to get the ball rolling, so start with small, achievable goals. Want to meditate? Start with one minute a day. Want to eat more veggies? Eat one baby carrot a day. You can manage that much! Instead of committing to an intense workout regimen right away, consider incorporating a 10-minute daily walk into your routine. These small changes can build the foundation for larger habits over time.
Kick Things Up a Notch
Notice that I said a notch. After sticking to your teeny tiny lifestyle change for a couple of weeks or once you feel comfortable with your initial changes, you’re ready to build on it! Gradually increase the intensity of your workouts or expand your healthy eating habits. For instance, if you’ve been walking daily, try adding a short jog or incorporating strength training. Try setting aside 3 minutes for meditation each day and eating two baby carrots with one piece of broccoli.
This gradual increase will keep you motivated and engaged.
Embrace Manageable Chunks
You may be moving slowly, but eventually, you’re going to build things up to the point where you need to start breaking your habit into manageable chunks. Spending ten minutes on meditation two or three times a day is a lot easier to fit into your schedule than one twenty or thirty-minute session. Eating a single serving of vegetables (i.e.: 1/2 cup of carrots or 1 cup of broccoli) three times a day is a lot more reasonable than eating everything at once.
Instead of aiming to lose 30 pounds, focus on losing 1-2 pounds a week. Celebrate each small victory along the way. This approach not only keeps you motivated but also reinforces a positive mindset towards long-term success.
Plan Ahead
As I’ve talked to people throughout the years, I’ve learned that deviating from routine can be a major setback for people who are trying to develop and stick to a new habit. Planning is crucial for maintaining healthy habits. I suggest thinking ahead and coming up with a plan for those times when something might be an obstacle to your routine or throw your schedule out of whack. Going on vacation? Have a guest coming into town? Set aside time each week to prepare your meals and schedule your workouts. Preparing healthy snacks and meals will make it easier to stay on track, especially on busy days. Consider using a planner or app to keep your health goals organized and visible.
Anticipate what challenges these changes might bring and map out ways to continue your path, regardless of what’s going on around you.
Don’t Let Slips Set You Back
Guess what? Not one person on this planet is perfect, and that means that no one is able to stick to a habit 100% of the time. It’s normal to experience setbacks along your journey to better health so don’t let a slip-up derail your progress. There may be a day here or there when you miss your meditation or skip the veggies. Breaking a habit for one day isn’t going to impact your long-term progress, but letting one day turn into five, ten, or thirty days will! Instead, view these moments as learning opportunities. Reflect on what led to the slip and how you can adjust your plan moving forward. Remember, consistency is key, and every day is a new chance to start again.
Speaking of good habits, be sure to get in the habit of checking my blog regularly so you can get some great tips and ideas for a beautiful, healthy life from your friend – Dr. G!
The information and other content provided in this blog, website or in any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
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