Now it’s the new year, we tend to have pressures around what should we do new? “New year, new me!”. But sometimes it can be overwhelming to know what to do, where to start, and how to develop healthy habits that are sustainable in the long run.

Embrace Sustainable Healthier Habits

There are so many societal pressures on us, that we try extreme solutions that often aren’t sustainable. The best way to maintain new habits, so they become a lifestyle, is to make small changes over time.  The following golden nuggets may help you stay focused and embrace healthier habits that will remain sustainable.

• Start small for big success look at your goals and break them down into small and achievable steps to prevent yourself from feeling overwhelmed. For example, if you want to increase the amount of exercise you do, start by adding in a lunchtime walk every day or taking the stairs instead of the lift.
• Set clear goals Ensure your goals are precise, measurable, and realistic. Skip vague goals such as “to eat well” and aim for specifics like “to achieve 30g of fibre a day”.
• Plan ahead Why not create an action plan to help map out where your new habits can fit into your daily routine? The more concrete your plan is, the more sustainable it will be.
• Track to triumph Using trackers, diaries, or even calendars to record your actions will provide you with positive visual reinforcement to help you identify patterns or areas or change to help you on your way to achieving your goals!
• Social support Sharing your goals with friends and loved ones who can offer encouragement and hold you accountable is powerful! Another alternative could be joining groups of like-minded individuals for extra motivation.
• Celebrate successes, big or small Rewards can provide us with great positive reinforcement but be mindful that the rewards align with your overall goals.
• Learn from setbacks Reflect on what caused the slip-up and give it another shot. Focus on your achievements and be proud of the changes you’ve made. Be compassionate toward yourself and listen to your body. If you’re low on sleep and energy, consider adjusting your exercise routine accordingly. Remember, it’s okay to rest; we’re not machines, and avoiding burnout is important. Comparing ourselves to others isn’t productive—we’re all unique.
• Be Flexible Unfortunately, life is unpredictable and can throw us the odd curve ball or two, so it’s important to be flexible with your habits. If circumstances change, adapt your plan to fit your needs instead of giving up.

Most importantly…. Have fun with it 😊

When you are on your journey, creating healthy habits, ensure you keep in mind that everyone’s journey is unique, and what may work for one may not work for another. Therefore, don’t be afraid to try out different strategies to find what works best for you in creating and maintaining healthy habits. Remember consistency is key to long-term success, why not check out our Vitality healthy habit tracker to help you achieve your goals 😊

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