Finding the time to build healthy habits can seem difficult in today’s busy world. Many people struggle with old patterns and need help breaking unhealthy behaviors holding them back. Thankfully, building sustainable, healthy habits can be achieved with the right approach. Over time, the repetition of these beneficial choices can make a significant positive impact on an individual’s mental and physical well-being.
Here at Montes Medical Group, we believe in supporting our patients with helpful and reliable guidance to improve their health and reduce the risk of future health problems. So what are some great ways to build healthy habits that last? Keep reading to learn more!
Define Your Health Goals
When building healthy habits, identifying what we want and why is important. Your “why” will motivate you when willpower may be low. For example, someone may want to become a healthy eater to set a good example for their kids, manage a chronic disease, or simply have more energy throughout their days. It can be helpful to write down your “why” and place it in highly visible areas. Some people enjoy making vision boards that are more visual and remind them of a variety of “whys” that drive their efforts.
It is also important to focus on one habit at a time to increase your likelihood of succeeding. Once one habit has been mastered, you can move on to the next. Writing down a list and prioritizing your goals can help identify what you need or want to focus on first. For example, you may need to sleep more and build a solid bedtime routine. Prioritize this habit first and then shift your attention to other helpful habits such as exercising regularly. Once established, both of those habits can help you get better sleep at night.
Focus on Small Wins
Establishing healthy habits that last for years can be overwhelming for many people. For this reason, focusing on small wins and actions is helpful instead of large, intimidating goals. If somebody wants to lose thirty pounds, focusing more on exercising for an hour every day can be helpful instead of that big number. It’s important to celebrate small wins and doing so can help you maintain focus, feel more self-confident, and get excited about your progress.
Many people also enjoy using the SMART definition for goals, which states that all goals should be:
- Simple
- Measurable
- Attainable
- Relevant
- Time-bound
Some examples of SMART goals are:
- Jogging for 20 minutes twice per week for six weeks
- Spending 90 minutes per week on a new hobby for one month
- Trying one new home-cooked meal per week until the end of the year
- Reading for 10 hours each month
Make Things Easier to Achieve
Setting healthy habits isn’t all about willpower. We only have so much willpower on hand every day so we must remove obstacles and create environments that support our goals. Try to automate good decisions whenever possible. For example, get smaller plates to help you with portion control at meal times.
You can also introduce elements that fit into your current routine to encourage healthy habits. For example, if you want to go to the gym more often, sign up for one that’s on your way home from work instead of in the opposite direction. Another good strategy is to reduce negative influences such as unhealthy food in your cupboards or distractions that stop you from going to sleep on time.
Consistency is Key
Many people give up on their goals when they do something that goes against what they set out to achieve. However, it is nearly impossible to have a perfect streak of success when setting out to change our habits. It is natural and inevitable to miss a workout, eat something that isn’t super healthy, or stay up late at night. When these things happen, all you have to do is just keep trying to pursue your goals the next day. Setbacks here and there will happen, but consistency over time will always win out when it comes to building good habits.
It can be easier to stay consistent when you have a support system such as a friend, family member, or community at your side. Share your goals with them, ask them to keep you accountable, and look for encouragement whenever you need it. Here at Montes Medical Group, we encourage patients to stay in touch with us through routine check-ups. Through consistent care and contact, we are better able to support our patients on their journeys to better health.
Conclusion
As you can see, there are so many great ways to build healthy habits that last. Staying consistent is the big key to increasing your odds of success. Setbacks are natural, but in the long-run, repeated efforts will make it more likely to change your behavior for the better. It’s also helpful to focus on small wins, create a supportive environment, and understand the “whys” behind your desire to change for the better. By taking these steps, you can significantly increase your odds of building healthy habits that last for a long time and improve your quality of life.