How to Create a Lasting Healthy Habit
Change doesn’t happen overnight.
Forgetting unhealthy lifestyle habits and learning new ones is possible, with equal parts hard work and dedication. Whether you’re looking to swap your slippers for running shoes, drink more water or prioritize sleep patterns, the key to success is creating a lasting habit and committing to a lifestyle change.
In this article, we take a closer look at the best ways to create a lasting healthy habit and 10 changes that you should most definitely consider.
1. Make a Plan
The first step toward any lifestyle change is making a plan. Putting pen to paper and writing out your plan can help you to short out details, create a timeline and even track your progress.
2. Set a Goal
As you are putting a plan together to live a healthier lifestyle through certain changes and habits, you may want to consider also setting a goal. This goal can help to keep you on track and provide you with a little extra motivation.
An effective goal will be:
Specific
Measurable
Achievable
Relevant
Time-based
This formula is also known as a SMART goal!
3. Share with Others
Don’t be afraid to share your ambitions for a happier and healthier future with loved ones. The supportive family and friends in your life will be pleased to hear about the lasting habits you are implementing.
They might even look for ways to help throughout your journey or join in!
4. Be Consistent
Consistency is key to lasting and genuine change.
On average, it can take at least two months to create a lasting lifestyle change. This means that for at least two months you will need to really work hard on improving your healthy habits.
5. Hold Yourself Accountable
If you don’t hold yourself accountable, who will?
Other than key members of your support team, such as an executive lifestyle coach or healthcare professional, you will solely be responsible for holding yourself accountable to change.
Reverting to unhealthy habits doesn’t benefit you. In fact, it can set you further back than you were before, making it harder and taking longer to live the healthy lifestyle that you deserve.
10 Healthy Habits Everyone Should Have
Could you benefit from a lifestyle change? Whether you’re looking to lose weight, reduce stress or simply live a healthier lifestyle in general, here are 10 healthy habits that you should absolutely consider.
1. Go to Bed and Wake Up Early
Sleep is essential to your health. By going to sleep earlier, you can make more of a conscious effort to prioritize the quality and length of your sleep each night. Not to mention that you will wake up refreshed and on time to take on the next day.
2. Eliminate Sources of Stress
The key to reducing, if not eliminating, your stress is prevention. By identifying the sources of your stress, you will be able to better make certain lifestyle changes to not only eliminate the source of your stress, but better manage stress on a long-term basis.
3. Find Better Work-Life Balance
Do you feel the demands and stress of work, long after you’ve clocked out for the day? Chances are your work-life balance might be a little unbalanced, to say the least.
It’s important to establish boundaries between your work and home life, as this can allow you to decompress after a long day of work and focus on your family, friends and other interests. Without a good work-life balance, you may find yourself feeling stressed, overwhelmed or burnt out in general.
Small changes can help you to establish a better work-life balance, such as turning off your work phone outside of business hours, prioritizing productivity while on the job and even reaching out to your superiors for assistance.
4. Move Your Body Every Day
It’s encouraged to engage in at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week. Whether you’re hitting the gym, going for a swim or taking the dog for a walk, it’s important that you move your body every day - if even for 15 minutes. This can help to establish a routine that includes physical activity, whether it be in a gym setting or the great outdoors.
5. Drink More Water
Drinking enough water each day is so essential to your overall health. Maintaining proper hydration can help to eliminate waste from your body, improve your digestive health, maintain a healthy weight, and so much more.
To start drinking more water, try setting a daily goal for yourself. As you begin to hit your goal more steadily, you can slowly increase the amount of water until you’re naturally drinking enough each day.
6. Cut Back on Junk Food
While it may not be sustainable to eliminate sweets, treats and salty food completely, you can aim to cut back on your consumption. You may want to find some suitable healthy swaps for certain junk food, for when a craving comes your way.
For instance, instead of having chips as a snack, instead make a bowl of popcorn or try apple chips!
7. Communicate with Loved Ones
Regular communication with family and friends can be so beneficial to your emotional and mental health. Not only does this provide you with the opportunity to share details of your life and discuss certain events, situations or experiences, but it also allows you to check in on them as well.
Having a support team is crucial to achieving your goals and making healthy lifestyle changes. By communicating with loved ones on a regular basis, you can strengthen that support system and take an even better approach to living a healthier lifestyle through subtle changes.
8. Spend Time Outdoors
There’s nothing quite like spending time in the great outdoors. Whether it’s the warm feeling of sun rays on your skin, fresh air blowing past or the birds happily chirping in the trees, there is something about spending time in nature that can truly help to ease stress and boost your overall mood.
If you’re looking to spend less time on the couch and more time in nature, we suggest aiming to spend at least 20-30 minutes outside each day. Whether it’s in your backyard or hiking a local trail, this time in nature can be very beneficial to your physical, mental and emotional health.
9. Save Your Money
Do you have trouble saving money?
Sometimes, it can be hard to get ahead. Whether you’re navigating a strained financial time in your life or you simply were never provided with the financial literacy skills needed to save money effectively, it can be difficult to save your money.
With the right lifestyle change and habits, that can be something of the past.
How you get started is completely up to you and dependant on your lifestyle. Some may get started with help from a professional, such as a life coach or financial advisor, while others will make subtle lifestyle changes.
What matters most is that you recognize the issue at hand and make a plan for a brighter future!
10. Commit to a Self-Care Routine
Self-care can look different from person to person. While some may opt for a day at the spa, others simply need an hour for a relaxing walk. How you engage in self-care is completely up to you! The common denominator is that you commit to changes that incorporates self-care into your weekly, if not daily, routine.
To get started, reserve at least 10-20 minutes a day to yourself. This time could be allocated to reading a book, going for a walk, meditation and yoga, or even skin care. Once you have mastered this routine, look for ways to incorporate more self-care into your weekly routine by reserving 1-2 hours a week for yourself, too!
Elevate Your Lifestyle with Ali Cocco
Living the lifestyle that you deserve starts with you.
You must show up for yourself to identify where change is needed and then take the steps to create a happier and healthier future. Not only for yourself, but for your loved ones as well. If you need help getting started, I’m here to help.
With professional coaching, I can help you make lasting changes to improve your overall lifestyle. Change can be difficult for anyone, but with professional coaching, you will never have to face it alone. For more information or to get started, get in touch today!
