The habits that we form make up our daily life and makes us who we are. It just takes a little time to develop them. We develop many habits throughout our lives and most of the time it happens without us realizing it. We form both good and bad habits over time. According to Psychology Today habit formation is the process by which behaviors become automatic. Sadly, the bad habits seem easier to form, which is due to how our brain is wired. The brain works on a trigger and reward basis, and it easily slips into a routine that appears to make us happy. But never fear there is a way to form those good habits as well. Here are four tips to help you form those good habits we all need.
Identify your Habits and Make Them Work for You
Identify the habits that you already have and evaluate whether they need changing. Some of our pre-existing habits have become natural to the point where they are almost unbreakable. These are the ones that we can adjust or add on another healthy habit. For example, we all brush our teeth, so if fitness is a goal of yours, you can adjust this by adding a few minutes of stretching or walking around in your home while you brush your teeth. This method is called padding and it gives you a chance to piggyback on some of your longstanding habits.
Keep it Simple
When starting something new, it helps to keep it simple. The all or nothing approach rarely works for most of us when it comes to habit forming. If your goal is to eat healthy, instead of going full blown vegetarian in one instant, start by changing small things in your diet e.g., eliminating juice and replacing it with water. Sometimes when we try to go full force all at once it can scare us and prevent us from continuing. It can easily end in disappointment. So easy does it. Small steps until you reach your goal.
Plan Ahead
Plan for the outcome that you want and prepare for it. A plan becomes more achievable when you prepare for it. That plan to go to the gym in the morning feels easier when you wake up and your gym bag is already packed and waiting at the door. Removing the planning and preparation from in the moment, eliminates that part of the process when its time and leaves you to do only the action that needs to be done.
Be patient with Yourself
Humans are imperfect beings. Mistakes happen and its ok if you don’t get it all right the first time. It is important to be gentle with yourself. While trying to achieve our goals we need to ensure our mental health is still intact, so be aware of the pressure that we place on ourselves. Aim to achieve your goals but be patient when it comes to achieving your results. It takes time to get it right.
Conclusion
Forming healthy habits is something that most of us aim for, but unfortunately it is easier said than done. But as with most things, knowing what to expect and planning for it makes a big difference. So, to sum up, identify the habits you have and those you want to develop, keep it simple, plan ahead and be patient with yourself. Don’t worry, you’ll get it right and we are in it with you.
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