Long-term well-being depends on developing healthy habits, yet many people find it difficult to stick with them. The secret to success is consistency and strategy, whether it’s through regular exercise, a healthy diet, or mindfulness exercises. Here’s how to create enduring habits.
Start Small and Be Specific
One of the most common mistakes people make when trying to adopt a new habit is setting unrealistic goals. Rather than dedicating yourself to an hour-long workout each day, begin with 10 minutes and work your way up. Be specific on what you hope to accomplish. Set a specific objective, such as “I want to develop a good balanced diet by eating one serving of vegetables with every meal,” as opposed to stating, “I want to eat healthier.”
Link New Habits to Existing Ones
A powerful way to build new habits is by stacking them onto existing ones. This method, called habit stacking, facilitates the integration of new habits into your daily routine. For instance, immediately after brushing your teeth, if you wish to begin flossing every day, do so. Every time you check your phone, take a sip of water to increase your intake.
Make It Easy and Convenient
You are more likely to maintain a habit if it is simple to follow. Get rid of roadblocks to position oneself for success. Lay out your gym attire the night before if you plan to work out in the morning. Keep wholesome snacks close at hand if you want to eat well. Over time, lowering friction increases the habit’s automaticity.
Use Triggers and Reminders
You can use triggers as cues to remind yourself to perform a habit. They can be action-based (e.g., doing yoga every morning at 7 AM) or action-based (e.g., meditating right after making your bed). Using sticky notes or setting phone reminders can also help you maintain new behaviors until they come naturally.
Track Your Progress
Tracking progress provides motivation and accountability. To record your daily healthy habits, use a notebook, app, or habit tracker. Over time, even little victories build up and act as a tangible reminder of your dedication. At Alexandrea’s simple pursuit we offer a hardcover journal which you can use to stay motivated by acknowledging and celebrating accomplishments, such as finishing a week of exercise.
Find an Accountability Partner
Your chances of success can be greatly increased by sharing your goals with someone. An accountability partner—a friend, relative, or support group—can uplift you. At Alexandrea’s Simple Pursuit we acknowledge your accomplishments, and assist you in staying on course when your motivation wanes.
Be Patient and Forgiving
Building the best daily habits takes time. Research suggests it can take anywhere from 21 to 66 days to form a new habit. If you miss a day, don’t be too hard on yourself—just get back on track the next day. Avoid the all-or-nothing mindset; consistency is more important than perfection.
Key takeaway
Although it takes time to develop healthy habits, you can make them a natural part of your life with the correct approach. Be patient with yourself, track your development, start small, and be consistent. Your health and well-being will gradually improve as a result of these minor adjustments.
