Getting into healthy habits is incredibly important to make sure that you have a long and happy future ahead of you and that you can protect both your physical and mental health. If you are struggling to add healthy habits into your lifestyle, here is a guide that can help you to stick to your goals and avoid falling back into the temptation of old habits.
Realize What Needs to Change
Before you make the decision about what healthy habits you are going to start practicing, you need to be aware of the areas of your lifestyle that are having a negative effect on you and what needs to change. This will then give you a starting point wherefrom you can isolate the habits that will have the most benefits on the way that you live without having to turn-over your entire lifestyle for habits that might not be as impactful.
Get a Smart Watch
Once you have decided on the changes that you want to make, you should invest in a smartwatch that can help you to track your progress and to make sure that you are sticking to your habits. For instance, getting a sleep tracking smartwatch to wear every night will enable you to see whether your habits are working and whether they are making a positive change to your lifestyle. This can also help you to motivate yourself and to avoid falling back into your lifestyle of old.
Give Yourself Rewards
Although rewarding yourself for good behavior might be faintly reminiscent of childhood star charts, people of any age are more likely to stick to their goals with the promise of a reward hanging over their heads. Holding back something that you want until you have managed to stick to your habit for a certain length of time, you will be encouraged to stick out your new regime for longer until your new habit is completely second nature to you. Great rewards for reaching your goals can include day trips, an unnecessary purchase, or even a day spent relaxing.
Schedule a Time
Habits are easier to stick to if you repeat them at a certain time each day, as this will allow them to become part of your routine without you constantly having to remember to perform them. Then, you should schedule time out of your day where you will be able to enact your healthy habit, with the best times usually being either side of your sleep.
Start Your New Habits with a Buddy
If you need help and support with sticking to your goal and habit, you should consider trying out this new activity with a buddy who is aiming for the same goal as you. For instance, if you plan to exercise every day, you should arrange to go running or visit the gym with your friend or family member. This will enable you to have a shoulder to cry on when you feel like giving up, and their success can help to motivate you to reach your own goals by their side.