Want to start a new good habit, but haven't been having very much success? Access Dental and Dentures cares a lot about your health... In fact, it's our passion! And we are here to help with tips on how to develop healthier habits as quickly and easily as possible. Keep reading to learn all about it!
Timing is Everything
Studies have shown that it takes a full 30 days to form a long-lasting habit. During that first month, it is important to perform the habit every day. If you allow yourself “cheat days” within that time frame, it can make it significantly more difficult to solidify the habit.
But, there is a caveat to this rule. If the habit you're trying to develop is a monthly habit, then it would take at least two months to start forming a habit by default. If your habit is an hourly habit, then it might not take a full 30 days of repetition for it to become a natural habit. The key is to perform the habit consistently to get your mind in a subconscious routine. For example, the same time every day if it's a daily habit, the same day every week if it's a weekly habit, etc.
Start Small
If you are looking to create a healthier lifestyle, it's important to approach it with the long-term in mind. Take your health journey step by step by tackling one goal at a time. If you try to add a gallon of water a day, 5 servings of fruits and veggies daily, cutting out sugar, exercising for 30 minutes/day, waking up an hour earlier, and more, then it will be very easy for you to get burnt out before you can make a real positive change in your life.
Instead of trying to change everything at once, start with one small goal. For example: Flossing your teeth every day. We all know that it is an important habit, but it can be one of the easiest to blow off. Make this simple, 2-3 minute task your first priority for adding healthy habits to your life and see what happens!
Plan for Success
Help remember the habit by giving yourself reminders. Set up alerts on your phone alarm and calendar, or tape notes for yourself in areas you will regularly see them. Visual reminders can be incredibly helpful in keeping you on track.
Replace bad habits with good ones to reduce the temptation of going back to them. Giving up soda and other sugary drinks? Replace that liquid consumption with water. For extra flavor to help prevent boredom, infuse your water with cucumber or fresh lemon juice and basil. Trade candy for fresh fruit. (Berries make a great substitute for that sour candy craving!)
Reward each step of the process by keeping track of your new habit with a bullet journal or sticker chart. It may seem juvenile at first, but the feeling you get from regularly rewarding yourself for accomplishing the day’s goal can be a great motivation and reminder to help keep you going strong.
Forgive Yourself
As you set out to start your new habit this season, remember that no one is perfect. If you stumble and drink a bunch of sugary lemonade, or if the day gets away from you and you forget to floss, it’s not the end of the world. Remind yourself why you’re working toward your new healthy habit and get back to killing it the next day. You can do it!
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Changing bad habits into good and healthy habits isn't easy. Bad habits are usually easy to fall into... snacking on chips, skipping the gym, not refilling your water bottle, etc. Good habits take effort and discipline. Follow the tips from today's blog to get started on a healthier path for a happier life. And Access Dental and Dentures will have your back! We love taking care of your dental health.
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