Friday, February 28, 2020

Reinforcing Your Good Habits

If you want to make healthy habits stick, science shows that reinforcing your habits by pairing something you like with something you are learning to like makes it far more likely to keep happening.  Think of going to a fun exercise class because you go with a friend.  It's a double win because you not only get the exercise (accomplishment)--but you also get the social time (accomplishment).  The healthy habit becomes reinforced over time because it feels so good to be doing what you wanted in the first place.  Remember when you had recess in school?  It was fun for a few reasons: 1) you get a break from schoolwork; 2) you get to be outside; 3) you get to be with your friends and blow off steam.  Now, picture going to recess by yourself.  You get the break, and you get to be outdoors, but you are alone.  That wouldn't be nearly as worthwhile.

Whether you are trying to be more active or eat balanced meals, this week consider what it takes to really make it feel funner, less chore-like, more spirited.  Maybe you join a fitness challenge or a sign up to walk/run a 5K?  Maybe you watch your favorite tv show while you walk the treadmill?  Maybe you play great music while you chop and look at recipes or clean the house or do the laundry?  Whatever it may be, take the drudgery out of your good healthy habits and insert fun and reward and see what it does for making your lifestyle feel even better. 


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