Anyone who has ever tried to develop good habits and make a change in their life knows that it is not always easy; whether you are trying to quit smoking, eat healthier, or just procrastinate less, old habits can die hard.
However, the effort is often worth it, as making even small changes in your everyday routines can have a big impact on your overall health and wellbeing.
Good habits can be helpful because they automate our lives, freeing up our energy and attention for other tasks; they can also help us to stick to our goals by providing cues and motivation when we might otherwise falter.
Of course, not all habits are beneficial, but by being mindful of the role that good habits play in our lives, we can learn to create ones that support our health and happiness.
Everyone has habits. Some people have good habits, like exercising regularly or eating a nutritious diet, and other people have bad habits, like smoking or biting their nails, however, what many people don’t realize is that habits can have a profound effect on our lives.
In fact, our habits often dictate the course of our lives, for better or for worse.
For example; let’s say that you have a habit of Procrastination.
Every time you have a project to do, you put it off until the last minute; as a result, you’re always rushing to meet deadlines and your work is often sloppy.
This habit seems harmless enough, but over time it can lead to serious problems at work, such as getting fired or demoted.
On the other hand, let’s say that you have the habit of getting up early every day.
Even on weekends, you set your alarm for 7am so you can get a head start on the day; this habit might seem overly restrictive, but it can actually lead to greater productivity and success in life. Because you’re starting your day earlier, you have more time to get things done and you’re less likely to waste time watching TV or browsing the internet.
Developing good habits can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be; the key is to start small and focus on one habit at a time. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Pick a habit that you want to develop; it could be something as simple as taking a few minutes to stretch every morning, or keeping a gratitude journal.
Start by doing it for just a few days in a row, then, slowly increase the frequency until it becomes part of your daily routine.
Make it easy on yourself by setting up reminders or prompts.
If you’re trying to remember to meditate every day, set an alarm on your phone or leave your meditation cushion out where you’ll see it.
Tell your friends and family about your new habit so they can support you in sticking with it. Accountability can be a powerful motivator!
Finally, don’t be too hard on yourself if you slip up.
Everyone makes mistakes; the important thing is to get back on track as soon as possible and keep going.