| Health |
From the moment we rise up in the morning, we all have habitual routines and actions throughout each day. They are acts we do automatically without really thinking about them… habits. Our daily habits create results. This is a very powerful reality when it comes to our health. To a very large extent, you are where you are in the element of health as a result of your daily habits. You can use this to your advantage, by consciously removing unhealthy habits and replacing them with healthy ones. Choose and create your habits. Make your habits work for you.
The following is a plan for creating habits that move you to your target in the element of health.
- Start by observing your daily habits for a week or two without judgement. For example, what do you do first thing in the morning, after work, and before bed? What are your go to foods? What activities do you consistently engage in? Take notes on anything you see yourself repeating.
- Once you have a list of your repetitive routines and habits, review your target for the element of health. Make sure you are clear on what your goal is for health. Then go through and note which habits help you move to your target and which take you off track.
- It’s not easy to change habits in the beginning. Don’t try to change all your habits at once. Replace one unhealthy habit with a healthy habit one at a time. For example, let’s say in the afternoon you grab a caffeinated soda for an energy boost, but then find it difficult to relax and fall asleep at night. You could replace the soda habit with an uplifting herbal tea like peppermint or ginger. Maybe you notice every evening after dinner you binge watch a series, and you’d like to watch less and get more movement in. Instead of going straight for the television, go on a walk after dinner.
- With each habit replacement, hold your concentration on avoiding the old negative habit and doing the new positive habit. It may feel uncomfortable at first. Just remember, habits are created by repetition. The more you make the effort to not repeat the old habit and do the new habit everyday, the less you will feel like it’s a struggle. Remind yourself it will get easier and keep your thoughts focused on how the new habit will help you reach your targeted health.
- After you have successfully created a new habit, go back to your list and repeat until you’ve replaced all your unhealthy habits with healthy ones.
Of course, your daily habits affect more than just your health. You can elevate your habits to help improve all the elements of your life. Check out Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear if you’d like to dive deeper into the creation and power of good habits. Share any healthy habits you incorporate into your day below!