Deal with the most challenging month with renewed energy and enthusiasm. Build new habits that will last. Forming new and good habits may be a matter of constant concern. We have it sorted for you.
February is perhaps the toughest month to get through! The newness is gone, and old habits start coming back. It is that time of the year when enthusiasm and energy start fading out, and the thought of a long and grinding year ahead starts settling in.
You must wonder why it is so important yet so difficult to build lasting new habits. So here we are with some easy and straightforward strategies for forming healthy habits.
Before we get into the details, let’s first understand what a habit is. It is nothing but a specific action repeated over a period of time until it becomes man’s second nature. Constant repetition leads to comfort, and the human mind is scared to leave that comfort zone.
Forming healthy habits is not about willpower or determination. It is all about the desire to achieve something. The deeper the desire, the stronger the determination.
First thing first, we have to admit that we are all creatures of habit. We like to follow the same routine and repeat our actions over and over again. We often deny our present unhealthy habits and stick to doing it even if we know that it is wrong. Why so? According to research, by the time we reach adulthood, our brains get wired to specific neural pathways and can almost not accept any radical change.
However, today we are here to change that perception. We are here to help you take small steps, participate in new activities and build new neural pathways.
Here’s what you may do:
- Replace, do not stop: A complete overnight dead stop of an existing habit is impossible. Instead, work out ways to slowly eliminate the same with similar new practices.
- One step at a time: Start small and give yourself the time to adjust to your new desired lifestyle. Let’s face it; the brain needs time to build the new neural pathways.
- Tie a new habit to an existing one: ‘I don’t have time to go to the gym’ is probably the commonly spoken and heard statement. Then find some way of stacking a new habit on an existing one – walk for half an hour after school drop-off or walk to the supermarket instead of taking the bus
- Keep it simple: Don’t worry about the method; just do it!
- Reward yourself: This is important, and this is what keeps you motivated. Set a reward for yourself after you achieve your desired goal.
Focus on a new habit and get ready to bring about all the positive changes in your lifestyle!
For more details, lookout for your weekly newsletter and stay tuned.