New Year, New Habits: Building Positive Routines
Dec 28, 2023
As we step into a new year, many of us feel inspired to make positive changes in our lives. One powerful way to make lasting improvements is by focusing on our habits. Studies suggest that it takes about 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic.1
Habits and happiness go hand in hand. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, people with positive habits experience lower stress, better mental health, and greater life satisfaction.2 This shows just how crucial habits are for achieving long-term goals and overall happiness. In this article, we’ll talk about:
- Identifying Habits
- Setting Realistic Goals
- Creating a Habit-Forming Environment
- Tracking Progress
- Overcoming Challenges
Identify Habits to Build (or Break)
Start by taking a look at your current daily habits and how they impact your life. Research tells us that habits make up about 45% of our daily behavior,3 so identifying areas for improvement is key to making positive changes. Think about your physical health, mental well-being, productivity, and relationships. Are there habits you need to let go of? Are there new habits you'd like to develop for a better quality of life? Answering these questions honestly sets the stage for success.
Set Realistic Goals
Once you've spotted the habits you want to change, set realistic goals. Lasting change often comes from incremental adjustments rather than big overhauls. Research shows that people who make small changes are more likely to succeed in the long run.4 For instance, if you want to be healthier, start with small changes like eating more veggies or taking a short daily walk. Achievable goals make the process more doable and increase your chances of success.
Create a Habit-Forming Environment
Create an environment that supports your new habits. Make positive behaviors easy and appealing. If you want to read more, create a comfy reading nook with your favorite books. For a healthier diet, fill your kitchen with delicious foods and keep unhealthy snacks out of sight (or don’t even bring them home at all). Also, involve friends, family, or colleagues who share similar goals. Having support makes a big difference. People with social support are more likely to stick to new habits. Surround yourself with positivity to help you stick to your new routines.
Track Progress
Nowadays there’s an abundance of habit-tracking tools available. Use any tool that works for you, whether physical or digital. You can use a journal, an app, or even a simple checklist. Tracking helps you monitor your journey, and more importantly, will help keep you motivated. Review your accomplishments regularly and celebrate small victories. Acknowledging your progress this way will reinforce your commitment to building positive habits.
Overcoming Challenges
It isn’t always easy to build new habits. You should expect setbacks – they’re just part of the process. Common challenges include lack of motivation or unexpected events. You can develop strategies to overcome these hurdles, such as having a backup plan for busy days or finding alternative ways to stay motivated when things get tough. Remember, setbacks are opportunities to learn and adjust. Be kind to yourself, and remember you’re on a journey of growth and self-discovery.
Conclusion
Building new habits is the best way to start achieving your goals. If better health is one of your goals for next year, consider joining us for Jumpstart Your New Year's Resolutions. This 6-week group coaching program is designed to help you achieve your health goals in the New Year. You’ll get personalized guidance, effective goal-setting, unwavering accountability, and community support to finally make those resolutions a reality. Find out more and sign up here.
1 How Long Does It Take for a New Behavior to Become Automatic? (healthline.com)
2 How stress affects your health (apa.org)
4 Want To Make Big Progress? Science Says To Start Small (forbes.com)