Building Healthy Habits

8 Tips for Building Healthy Habits That Stick

We all seem to desire to create healthy habits, but we often struggle to make them stick long-term. Following are my eight top tips to help you create sustainable habits and help them to become part of your lifestyle. By using these strategies, you can overcome common hurdles and transform your aspirations into lasting routines. Let’s dive in!

Clarify Your Why:

To increase the likelihood of your new habits sticking, it’s important to have a clear understanding of your motivations. Dig deep and define the reasons behind your desire to be healthy. Instead of vague goals like weight loss, focus on a deeper intention such as keeping up with your children or maintaining independence as you age. Your “why” should be powerful and meaningful, so it can serve as a constant reminder of why you embarked on this journey.

 Start Small:

Starting a health transformation can be overwhelming even more so if you attempt to make all the changes at once. Instead, start with small, manageable steps that fit into your daily routine. For example, if you want to start exercising, begin with a daily 10-minute walk rather than committing to a strenuous gym routine. Gradually build upon these small habits over time.

 Shift Your Identity:

How you perceive yourself plays a significant role in the success of your habits. Changing how you view yourself from negative self-talk to positive affirmations. See yourself as active over lazy.  See yourself as eating healthy rather than a junk food junkie. I know telling you to visualize yourself as the person you want to become sounds corny, but it actually works, and it reinforces the positive habits and behaviors you are working on.

 Change Your Environment:

Your environment influences your habits. Set yourself up for success by creating an environment that supports your goals. For example, if you want to exercise in the morning, prepare your gym clothes and equipment the night before. Remove junk food from your home and replace them with nutritious alternatives. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals who share and support your health goals.

Set Specific Goals:

Vague goals like “get healthy” lack clarity and direction. Break down your goal into specific, actionable objectives. Define what “healthy” means to you and establish clear targets. Whether it’s improving blood markers, losing weight, or enhancing your metabolic health, be specific and measurable in your goals. This clarity will guide your actions and help you track your progress effectively.

Harness the Power of Habit Stacking:

Habit stacking involves combining a new habit with an existing one, leveraging the power of association to make the new habit stick. Take an existing habit that you perform consistently and attach a new habit to it. For example, you always brush your teeth in the morning, use those few minutes to meditate, or do squats connecting the habit of brushing your teeth to a new habit you are working on forming. By connecting habits together, you reinforce the new behavior and increase the likelihood of it becoming second nature.

Make Unhealthy Habits Harder:

Break free from unhealthy habits by making them more difficult to engage in. Identify the unhealthy behaviors you wish to eliminate and find ways to discourage them. If you struggle with junk food, avoid keeping it in your home or car. Create barriers that make it inconvenient to indulge in these habits. Redirect your energy and focus on building healthier alternatives instead.

Reward Yourself:

Reward yourself each time you reach a milestone.  It helps in maintaining motivation. However, you need to choose healthy rewards that align with your health goals. Treat yourself to non-food rewards such as a relaxing bubble bath, a massage, or a new exercise outfit. Celebrate your milestones along the way, ensuring you recognize and appreciate your progress.

To Wrap It Up: 

Building healthy habits is an ongoing process that requires commitment and intentionality. Following these eight tips can lay a solid foundation for sustainable habits that will enhance your overall well-being. Remember to stay focused on your “why,” start small, and gradually progress toward your goals. With perseverance and the right strategies, you can transform healthy habits into a natural and integral part of your daily life.