Small changes. That's how I got started.
Each choice we make is either working for us or against us. Many people start on their health journey and get overwhelmed with the amount of information out there. My #1 piece of advice is swapping/changing/modifying ONE THING AT A TIME. Create a habit ONE thing at a time or you may set yourself up for failure right out of the gate.
It is said that it takes 3 weeks (21 days) to create a new habit but, from a recent study in the European Journal of Social Psychology, it can actually take anywhere from 18-254 days! Everyone is different. What takes Sally 3 weeks to become automatic may take Bill 3/4 of a year. Go easy on yourself. But, DO SOMETHING!
Enter, my new blog segment 'Healthy Habits & Have-to-Haves'. This is where I'll spill the details of the things I'm loving, using and really stand behind. Whatever they might be, I can promise you that I actually use/do them myself and HAVE TO HAVE THEM!
Before we get into some of my current Have-To-Haves lets chat a bit more about habits. Healthy habits. For something to be a habit it has to be done automatically. So let's start with your habits that AREN'T healthy. Reaching for a soda or high calorie beverage instead of water, not supplying your body with nutrient dense foods, turning on the t.v. after a long day of work instead of taking a walk...maybe it's not having a healthy outlet for stress and anxiety or maybe it's a lack of/poor/repetative movement that is causing a muscle imbalance in your body. UNHEALTHY habits come in all shapes and sizes. Taking an inventory of things that you do that are not helping you move toward your health and wellness goals, is the first place to start.
Here is where my last post Get Back On That Wagon is helpful for setting GOALS. Start with one unhealthy habit on your list and implement how you will change it. Write it down. Pick a date to start setting your new HEALTHY HABIT into place and gather the item(s) you may need to help you along the way. Now, this is where you give yourself some time to learn your new habit. Commit to the process. Regardless if it takes you 12 days or 211, you have to put in the work. And, after a while, you'll look back and see all that you've been able to implement and change. You'll be feeling so good about the changes you've made that you'll want to share them with your friends, family and maybe even a stranger or two.
Next up, I'll spill the beans about what I HAVE-TO-HAVE currently. Think food, movement and I might even throw in a wild card tip, here and there. If you are implementing a new healthy habit and want to tell me about it, PLEASE send me a message at info@chirowellnessgreenville.com. I'd love to hear from you!
Cheers to changing habits!
Dr. A