“What you do every day matters more than what you do every once in a while.” - Gretchen Rubin
Have you found yourself saying, I would really like to...Wake up with more energy
Eat less sugar
Eat a more plant-based diet
Walk daily
Handle stress more easily
Then you are not alone!
Although these statements may sound like New Year’s Resolutions, they are worthy aspirations towards achieving a more balanced, happy and healthy life.
The question is, “How do we move from thinking and contemplation into actionable steps towards change?”
The answer lies in one simple word - consistency.
Consistency can be thought of as the foundation for any new habit to become a daily, seamless behavior.
Research published in the European Journal of Social Psychology found that it takes an average of two months for a new behavior to become a routine practice.
What we do and how we do it sets the stage for future success in all areas of our lives – from how we move, eat, sleep, play and connect with others.
It may be easier to think of it this way, setting a goal is more achievable when we have smaller steps to take towards that end point. Goals give us measurable guidance and a way to track our success.
When setting out to make these small changes, consistently following a well laid out plan helps alleviate stress and anxiety. The idea is to embrace change and lean into it gradually, making it more comfortable to incorporate for the long term.
For example, if your goal is to reduce your reliance on caffeine in the morning for energy, then it is helpful to attach the new goal to a new behavior. For example, you can look at how your habits from the night before might affect your need for caffeine the next day and state:
“I will go to bed 30 minutes earlier on a regular basis to allow for 7 hours of quality sleep”
Or, you can shift your morning behavior by adopting one of these ideas:
“I will wake up and hydrate with 16 ounces of water before drinking coffee.”
“I will eat a balanced protein-rich, plant-forward first meal of the day to provide me with the nutrients I need to feel energized.”
Whatever your aspirations of change are to achieve a balanced, healthier, and soul
satisfying life, feel assured that when you consistently practice these habits and routines
you will most definitely benefit from stepping into the world in a new way.