Making the decision to be healthier is important and literally changes your life. If you’ve recently been given a health diagnosis or you just want to make changes, you may not know where to start. Stay calm and recognize that any changes you make are going to move you in the right direction.
Creating health-centered micro habits isn’t hard. Here are some dos and don’ts that will help.
DO: Think about what you can sustain over time
DO: Create habits that piggyback off habits you already have
DO: Try to create a good habit and dump a bad habit at the same time
DON’T: Worry about what other people are doing
DON’T: Get down on yourself if you stumble
DON’T: Forget it’s a marathon, not a sprint
DO: Consider what you can do consistently over time- Remember, micro habits are supposed to be so small that they are effortless and easy to adopt. Find a shift you can manage and repeat consistently. You only need about twenty-one days to internalize most habits until they become automatic.
DO: Tag a new habit onto something you already do- Adding to a habit that you have already mastered can help you stay motivated. If you want to start taking supplements try tagging the habit onto brushing your teeth in the morning and evening. Since you already engage in a healthy hygiene habit, it will be easier to remember to take your supplements at the same time.
DO: Do double duty by adding a positive habit and dropping a negative habit at the same time- Taking the time to add a healthy-focused micro habit is worth the effort. Try dropping a bad habit at the same time. An example could be dropping soda and adding water to your diet. The compounding effect of increasing water and decreasing chemicals will expedite the benefits.
DON’T: Worry about someone else’s path- When it comes to building proper micro habits, it doesn’t matter what other people are doing. What you can sustain over time may look nothing like someone else. Comparing yourself to others may only cause you to feel discouraged. Focus on your own version of success and on how far you’ve come.
DON’T: Feel defeated if you stumble, that’s normal- Trying to build healthy habits takes time. Things can come along and trip you up. Don’t feel defeated when you stumble. Treat each day as a brand-new opportunity and let it go if you have a setback. What matters most is getting back to it and working on the habit.
DON’T: Try to adopt a new habit too fast- Habits take time to become automatic. Some longer than others. Don’t expect to adopt a habit in a short amount of time. If the habit is a complete turnaround from what you’re used to, it takes time to adjust and normalize the new behavior. Be patient and think of it like running a marathon rather than sprinting a race. Creating Health-Centered micro habits isn’t hard, but you do need to give yourself time and credit for the positive changes you are making. Use these dos and don’ts to keep yourself centered and on track while you create new habits.