We all have areas in our personal lives that could do with a little refreshment or upgrade. What is the first step? We will identify, make a well-thought plan and aim for the start. It’s all good and well up until here. However, a chunk of our amazing plans struggle to even kick off. Let’s say, with a little internal monologue finally we start and realize starting wasn’t a big deal after all. Truth is keeping up and making it stick is ten times more challenging. But with these tips I will help you make it a success. Trust me!
Consistency is key….But how?
Turn it into a habit! Think about a food that you really like for breakfast, let’s say oats. Wouldn’t you eat it most days if not everyday in a regular week? Or a recent Netflix series you discovered and every evening you cannot wait to watch an episode or two. Your subconscious mind has formed a habit so you automatically adjust other things in order to get that formed habit done.
There, The code is cracked! Make a habit of that behaviour and let your subconscious mind take over and ensure you’re not missing it. This way you no longer need to consciously choose to do it. For example, if you already have a habit of making a morning coffee, use the time while it’s brewing to line up the mineral supplements you need daily. Before you know it minerals are part of your morning routine.
Each time I cook, when waiting for the food to be ready I’ll start walking lunges and squats around the kitchen( so I can still keep an eye on the food too) and that’s now part of my cooking evenings because I made a habit of it.
Do you try hard staying away from buying unhealthy snacks but you still do? Make a habit of eating something healthy and delicious( peanut butter, rice crackers, fruit and yoghurt, nuts, dark chocolate…) before each grocery trip so that temptations are kept at bay.
I share another great habit of mine – When I wake up in the morning I first sit on the edge of my bed and do neck tilts and spine bend, extend and rotations. This is an unmissable morning routine for me that helps open up my body immediately and prepare it for bigger moves without stiffness.
My pro tips for forming habits:
1. Avoid big changes. Be patient and start small because nothing happens overnight.
2. Find which part of your day is the lightest and less busy. Schedule that new habit around that time where unexpected distractions are less likely to kick you off track.
3. Attach a new habit to an already formed routine. Like my spinal moves are attached to sitting up in bed which happens everyday.
4. It is better done in the same place and at the same time.
5. Do it everyday. Small acts done day after day will form dedicated neural pathways. Soon you will do them subconsciously.
6. Reward yourself. For more difficult tasks, talk yourself into doing them by promising a reward immediately after. On very early alarms, I wake myself up by the mental promise of a cup of my favourite tea and a spoon of honey. Funny how we can trick our mind 🙂
Your thoughts
What is the first thing you’d like to add to your daily routine for a healthier life? Give up/reduce processed food? Take a walk for 30-40 minutes daily? Say no to late night snacks? Start a workout you like and do it most days? Start cooking more at home? Go ahead and give it a go using the tips above. The better you get at creating habits, the more you can onboard all the healthy actions you want to take consistently.
Remember to check the amazing video library and other blog posts that we at Move2Improve create for you with one thing in mind – to guide you on the steps you take towards a healthy and wholesome life.
keep up the good work. Love and Health
