Making Habits Stick Flourish Therapy Clinic
Habits are a set of behaviours that help to make us – us! They are what we repeatedly do each day. What we think about; who we spend time with; our preferred social media and screens; how we organize our wardrobe; which food we eat; how we procrastinate and how we stay productive (or not!). These are all habitual. Ultimately, habits underly our narrative and can form, as well as spring from, our personality traits.
P
laying such a large part in our lives, the formation of good habits is one way in which we really have the power to improve our day to day experience, and our essential wellbeing. (Potentially that of others, too). Most of us have tried to start a ‘habit’ enthusiastically – and failed to sustain it, to our disappointment, or even shame. Take heart. Thoroughly integrating a new habit in your life is possible (whatever your age!). But jumping in on the magic date of January 1st might not be all you need: it takes a little forethought, perseverance and time. Below, you will find a few expert tips on how to go about building new habits.
Be Specific, and Plan ahead Many people think they lack motivation when what they really lack is clarity. It is not always obvious when and where to take action to start a new habit, and some people spend their entire lives waiting for the right time to make an improvement. Others make the details of their new behaviour so vague that they set a course for confusion, evasion, and giving up. The easiest way to implement a new habit is to be precise as possible. Start by filling out this sentence: I will (BEHAVIOUR) at (TIME) in (LOCATION). 126
LANCASHIRE & NORTH WEST MAGAZINE
For example: I will go for a walk at 6pm daily, at the park over the road or I will cook and eat a meal at home four evenings a week. To remind yourself, try writing it down clearly somewhere and stick it up in your home where you will see it - or set reminders on your phone. It takes 28 days for a habit to stick, so by preparing reminders, it makes it easier not to let a new behaviour slide! Decide on your new habit some time before you mean to begin it, and think whether anything needs to be prepared first, so that you won’t run into problems when you start. For example, make sure you have all the equipment needed to begin a new hobby. www.lancmag.com
