You’ve bought a juicer, signed up for a half-marathon, joined a Crossfit gym and decided to take up meditation. You’re excited, a bit nervous, but also completely unsure of how you’re going to find the time.
Before you throw in the towel, let us give you some encouragement. We believe in you.
These 8 Simple Tips Will Help you Stick to Any Health Challenge
1. Buddy Up
Someone who asks you how you are doing is probably going to keep you more accountable and motivated. Plus, it’s just fun to experience something new with someone you respect. Find a positively minded partner, friend, parent, coworker or neighbour. As Buddy says in the movie Elf, “I just like to smile, smiling’s my favourite.” Smiling in twos is even better.
2. Write it ALL Down
Write down your frustrations, write down encouraging words, write down a love letter to yourself. “Dear Diary, Today I was awesome.” Buy a set of field notes and place your answers on the fridge and at your cubicle.
3. Break-Up With Snooze
We know it’s a tough habit to break, but snoozing sleep is not exactly quality sleep. The morning can be the most productive time of day (yes, really). Make a commitment to wake up when the alarm goes off and you can easily add 30 minutes to your morning that can be deposited straight into your health piggy bank.
4. Use Social Media
You have your in-person support, but having online support can expand your community and feel even more rewarding. You’ll quickly find there’s a massive online community doing the same thing as you, so connect with them already!
5. Know WHY You Are Doing it
Having purpose is not only what helps us to get up in the morning; it is also what helps us through any challenge. If you know exactly why you are doing it in the first place, you can remind yourself to keep on course.
6. Plan for the Difficult Days Ahead
Sticking to the plan is easy enough when you have your routines in place. However, a new health challenge may seem impossible when your day gets thrown out of whack. What if you get stuck late at the office? What if you’re traveling? Plan what you will do when things aren’t perfect and you’ll set yourself up for success.
7. Keep Yourself Happy
You might end up feeling a little bit deprived, whether you get up earlier to fit the challenge into your life or take something away that you dearly love. Keep the rest of the good stuff: the long luxurious baths. The walk on a beautiful day. The restorative yoga class. Life is meant to be full.
8. Plan a Celebration for When it’s Over
Whether it’s the fanciest of cocktails, a delicious flatbread pizza, or a yoga class with all your buds, make sure to mark the completion with something special. Think of it as your graduation ceremony. You may plan on continuing the challenge after it is officially over, but you deserve to applaud your fine, hard work.
Making the time to test your abilities in any area of life is an incredible accomplishment.
