There’s really no need to tough it out and try to force desired changes by sheer willpower. In fact, that is almost certainly a recipe for failure. You can actually enjoy more ease in your life by focusing on creating habits. Check out the “5 Steps to Create New Habits That Last” below to start turning the tide in your daily routines… and in your health! (based on The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg)
1) Understand the habit loop
A habit is a repeating loop of Cue-Routine-Reward. The cue is something that happens to remind you of the idea that you want a reward (i.e., you just got home from work and are still stressed from your day). The routine is the action that you take without even thinking about it (i.e., pour a glass of wine). And the reward is the pleasurable experience that tells you that you got what you wanted (i.e., feeling relaxed).
2) Redesign the loop: Cue
Choose a habit that you want to change and consider the cue that triggers it. Is it a certain time of day? Is it leaving one thing or arriving at another? Is it when you see a certain thing or person? Is it when you experience a certain emotion? Knowing the cue will help you to change your patterned response.
3) Redesign the loop: Reward
We are going out of order here to highlight the desirable end reward that you are seeking. How do you want to feel from doing your new habit? Figure out ways to create a reward that you will naturally crave.
4) Redesign the loop: Routine
Choose a desired behavior that brings you the pleasurable reward (eg. taking a 20-minute walk when you first get home from work and enjoy feeling relaxed afterward, rather than grabbing a glass of wine).
5) Practice your new habit loop for 30 days until it becomes part of your routine!
If you’d like to learn more and get more help building your own habits, check out two great books, The Power of Habit, by Charles Duhigg and Atomic Habits by James Clear.
The book Atomic Habits is a great book and adds a very interesting dimension of considering how your identity shapes your habits, and looks at how choosing new habits can help create a desired identity (eg. being a “person who exercises”). Check it out if you are looking to boost your health through habits.
Could you use more help deciding on and creating the habits that will support your unique health journey? We warmly invite you to schedule a complimentary “Vitality Discovery Call” so we can get to know you and help you figure out your best next steps from here. You can also check out our online program Replenish which takes a deep dive into building habits to heal your adrenals and balance your hormones!
