As we approach the midway point of the year, many of us out there have not faithfully lived up to our New Year’s resolutions. Many of us get so busy with our jobs and family that it is easy to let the positive lifestyle changes we wanted to implement at the beginning of the year fall by the wayside. For readers looking for help with getting healthy new habits to stick, the following tips will get you on the right track when it comes to leading a healthier lifestyle.
Eliminate the All-or-Nothing Mindset
As counterintuitive as it may seem, the “all-or-nothing” attempts at changing our habits are likely doing you more harm than good, according to behavioral experts.
Trying to change all your unhealthy habits at once will almost always lead to disappointment as we become overwhelmed with trying to force change into our lives. Instead, psychologists tell us, focus on gradually changing one habit a time for best results.
Seek Out New Opportunities to Change
If you are having a hard time making new habits stick, a great way to gain some new momentum is to seek out fun opportunities that are related to the habit you’re trying to build.
For example, if you are looking to lose some weight and improve your cardiovascular strength, why not join a fun 5K run-walk color run with your friends? Planning a fun run with your friends is a great way to get exercise without feeling like you are punishing yourself by doing some crazy workout.
If that seems like too big of a step, habit experts suggest seeking out smaller opportunities you can perform daily to help cement a new habit into your routine.
If you want to build an exercise habit into your life, take the stairs every day at work instead of using the elevator. Instead of driving to work, consider biking, jogging, or walking to your job.
Learn the Value of Patience
We all want positive change to happen immediately, but the fact of the matter is that building healthy habits takes time. Psychologists recommend tracking your healthy changes in a daily exercise or diet journal. While you might feel like you are not making progress on a day-to-day basis, your habit journal will give you proof that you’re reaching your goals.