With the help of mental health experts we guide you on how to start healthy habits and seamlessly integrate them into your daily lives. Their advice offers a gentle yet effective approach to achieving our goals and enhancing our lives.
Understanding Healthy Habits:
A healthy habit is more than just a fleeting action; it’s a consistent practice aimed at nurturing our overall well-being over time. According to Dr. Byron Young, a psychiatrist and mental health advisor, healthy habits encompass activities that nourish us mentally, physically, spiritually, and emotionally. They’re about playing the long game, focusing on actions that benefit our bodies, minds, and souls in both the short and long term. However, distinguishing between what feels good and what is genuinely beneficial can be challenging. Clinical psychologist Anthony Townsend emphasizes that healthy habits are defined by their alignment with our personal values rather than immediate gratification—a crucial distinction in today’s culture of instant results.
Lean into Nourishment:
Before embarking on the journey of cultivating healthy habits, it’s essential to discern what true nourishment means to us individually. Psychodermatologist Dr. Keira Barr suggests reflecting on activities that make us feel like our best selves. These actions, whether it’s taking a bath, practicing yoga, or connecting with loved ones, provide sustained energy and support over time, enabling us to live life according to our desires. If uncertainty clouds our understanding of what constitutes nourishment, clinical psychologist Jeshana Johnson advises examining areas of friction in our lives, such as habits that lead to discomfort or negative outcomes. These signs serve as indicators that certain behaviors may not align with our well-being.
Mindset Matters:
Shifting our mindset is paramount in adopting healthy habits successfully. Kathleen Cameron, a manifestation coach, stresses the importance of embracing a new self-concept or identity to facilitate lasting change. By believing in our capacity to achieve our goals and embodying the best version of ourselves, we lay the foundation for transformative habits. To reinforce this mindset shift, Johnson suggests visualizing the positive emotions associated with our desired habits, such as joy. This practice expands our capacity to experience these emotions fully and serves as a powerful motivator.
Strategize and Plan:
While mindset is crucial, practical strategies are equally vital for habit formation. Dr. Young recommends creating a habit plan that outlines how we’ll incorporate new habits into our daily routines and cope with setbacks. Visualizing the steps involved in habit implementation primes our brains for action and reduces internal resistance. Habit stacking, linking new behaviors to existing habits, facilitates seamless integration into our lives by leveraging established neural pathways.
Embrace Discomfort with Mindfulness:
Embarking on the journey of habit formation may entail discomfort and uncertainty. Dr. Young encourages embracing these feelings rather than avoiding them, as discomfort is often temporary and indicative of growth. Mindfulness practices, such as grounding techniques and self-compassion, empower us to navigate discomfort with grace and resilience. By acknowledging discomfort and reframing it as an opportunity for growth, we cultivate resilience and perseverance in our habits.
Cultivate Self-Compassion:
Central to habit formation is self-compassion—the practice of treating ourselves with kindness and understanding. Dr. Barr emphasizes the importance of reframing healthy habits as a new way of being rather than striving for perfection. Self-love, rather than self-criticism, serves as a powerful motivator for sustained change. Brad Kallenbach, a clinical psychologist, underscores the significance of emotional motivation in habit formation, urging us to prioritize self-love as we pursue our goals.
As we embark on our journey of habit formation, let us remember that small changes yield significant results over time. With patience, mindfulness, and self-compassion, we can cultivate healthy habits that enrich our lives and align with our values. Let the New Year be an opportunity to embrace growth, resilience, and self-love as we navigate the path towards holistic well-being.
EUROPEAN PERSPECTIVE
How to adopt new habits (and keep them) according to Vogue France
To adopt and maintain healthy habits, it’s important to start by defining your goals. Identify activities that boost your energy and well-being. Reflect on what makes you feel better, such as meditation, social interactions, or exercise. If you’re unsure, it may take time to figure it out—what matters is the intention to improve.
Next, shift your mindset to embrace change and believe in your ability to reach your goals. Imagine the positive emotions your new habits will bring, and use these feelings to stay motivated.
Create a detailed plan to integrate your new habits into your routine, and prepare for potential setbacks by having a backup plan. Activate your procedural memory by visualizing the steps of your new routine, and consider “habit stacking”—linking new habits to existing ones to make them easier to adopt.
Expect some discomfort as you start, but remember that it’s normal and temporary. Practice mindfulness and self-compassion to manage any anxiety or frustration. Finally, be patient and kind to yourself—healthy habits take time to develop, and small changes can lead to significant results.
sources: https://www.vogue.com/article/healthy-habit-tips & https://www.vogue.fr/article/resolutions-adopter-garder-nouvelles-habitudes
