Building healthy habits is one of the most powerful self-love you can perform. After all, what is life other than a series of moments, choices, and patterns that make us who we are?
If you want to change your life in a big way but aren’t sure how focusing on the little things is a good place to start. As Vincent van Gogh said,
Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.
Creating new neural pathways and reshaping how you perceive yourself and the world in general is only possible (at least, in a sustainable way) when you make changes on a fundamental daily level. Our days are full of a million tiny choices, and making ones that contribute to your life rather than take away from it is one of the keys to unlocking a happy, healthy, and purpose-driven life.
But habit management can be difficult when you don’t know where to start. There’s a reason so many of us are stuck in old habits that don’t serve us: they feel familiar.
Stepping out of that comfort zone and having the courage to make positive changes is a transformative decision that can truly alter your position in the world.
Today, we’ll guide you through seven steps anybody can take to mindfully manage their habits and open up the possibility of creating new ones that bring joy, fulfillment, and growth into their lives.
Step 1: Consider Your Present Habits
If you want a healthier level of control over your habits, taking stock of your current ones is the first step. Set aside time to contemplate the little things your day is made up of. Once you know where you are, you can start developing a plan for moving forward.
● How do you tend to spend your free time?
● When do you normally wake up in the morning?
● What kind of food choices do you like to make?
● What people do you surround yourself with?
● What are your vices or your coping mechanisms when things get tough?
● What does an average day look like for you?
At this habit management phase, confronting the habits that aren’t great might feel a bit uncomfortable. Remember to list the habits you are proud of and that influence a healthy mindset, too. Try to be as objective and balanced as possible.
Step 2: Cut Out The Habits That No Longer Serve You
Before you can start creating new habits to focus on, you need to create space for them. You can do this by removing the habits you know are no longer necessary for your life and are possibly even bringing you down.
Identify which habits you know are unhealthy or feel it is time to let go of. Don’t overwhelm yourself by expecting just to let them go immediately. However, actively recognizing those you want to cut loose can help you gain more self-awareness and lead you to a better life.
Step 3: Pick Small Goals to Work Towards
After creating room for new habits, it’s time to determine what they might be. You can choose anything, from small habits such as eating more mindfully to drastic changes such as starting a strict new exercise regime. Smaller habits are recommended to start with.
At this stage, you must set manageable, realistic goals. Habits take a while to develop, and changing how you live your life is not easy.
For example, say you want to commit to 30 minutes of exercise every day at 7 am, thus creating an amazing new physical health habit. You could then challenge yourself to commit to this habit for just one week. At the end of the week, challenge yourself to practice that habit for the next two weeks.
Breaking big goals into smaller ones can make them more achievable in the long-term. The dopamine you receive from achieving those manageable goals will give you the confidence and self-belief to attempt bigger challenges in the future.
Step 4: Be Consistent
There are a few key ingredients to personal growth: determination, confidence, and patience. But perhaps the most important one of all is consistency.
Habit-building is hard, but the best progress happens when you push through those hard times. Persevere and commit to your goals.
Step 5: Do A Deep Dive Into Habit Management
Educating yourself on the science of habits and habit management is a powerful way to inspire and motivate you to keep moving forward. There is an abundance of books, podcasts, films, and even music that relate to this topic.
Discovering inspirational stories about people who have transformed their lives through habit management and learning about the neurological process of it can help nurture that spark of self-improvement and encourage you to continue pursuing personal growth.
Step 6: Lean On Friends For Support
We are all hardwired for connection. And leaning on your friends and family for support when attempting to improve your life can be a powerful source of comfort, fun, and motivation when you need it most.
If you can connect with those on a similar path, even better. Shared habits can influence relationships and compatibility with friends, family, and romantic connections. If you strive for personal growth, you’ll connect better with those on the same path.
Step 7: Celebrate milestones with healthy rewards
A little bit of positive reinforcement can go a long way. And when you see progress in practising healthy habits, celebration is absolutely in order.
Reward yourself for your hard work, consistency, and commitment to the life you dream of. Take yourself out for a wonderful meal, splurge on some new workout clothes, or invest in tools that will continue to support your journey of personal growth. That’s one of the best ways to reward yourself.
Improve Your Life One Habit At A Time
Healthy habits are one of the main ingredients of a happy and fulfilling life. But creating them mindfully does come with some challenges. Use this guide to help you understand your habits and create new ones that make you feel like the best version of yourself.
If you’re looking to build new habits and enhance your health, then it’s time to start thinking about what you should be doing differently in your life. The good news is that there are many ways to make changes to your lifestyle that can improve your health and lead to better overall wellness. If you want to learn how to live a healthier lifestyle, download wannawell app for free.
