Let’s start with one of the hardest habits to make for both Beth and me.
WATER! How many times do we need to read yet another article on the importance of staying hydrated, especially as we age?
Both of us have watched YouTube videos while taking copious notes on the consequences of a dehydrated body. We’ve gone to websites that calculate the number of ounces to consume based on weight. We’ve shared, (like it’s totally new information) what The National Academy of Science recommends for our daily water intake. We’ve bought new water bottles, and we’ve downloaded water-drinking apps. And all of this “crazy” comes from two women who actually like the taste of water!
I truly don’t know what the mental block is or where it started. But it’s one of the hardest habits for us to maintain. And it’s not for trying. I will report that currently both Beth and I are on track, chugging the clear stuff all day. Hope it lasts. Keep us in your prayers.
PROCRASTINATION. In my defense, I didn’t really know what I was doing was considered procrastination.
It would go something like this. Something needed to be planned, written, or otherwise completed. Something that was tops on the “To Do” list. I’d get that. But what I’d conveniently remember were the 2000 emails in my inbox. I’d say to myself, “Let me get rid of the electronic clutter first, and then I’ll tackle the To Do list.”
And of course, we know how this end. The To Do’s don’t get done.
I’m aware of this sneaky little monkey mind game now (it’s better known as one of the six types of procrastination.) As soon as I hear myself replacing an important activity for one that does not move me forward, I nip it.
I have to admit, I don’t always recognize it. But I’m listening for it and I’m better than before.
HEALTH AND FITNESS. Well, this is really the big one, isn’t it?
For some of us health and fitness are pregnant with frustration, confusion, and disappointment. And it doesn’t help that oftentimes we come up against conflicting information or radical non-sustaining online approaches.
Yet we know attention to our health and fitness is crucial for overall well-being.
Regular physical activity can improve brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, help with bone, and muscle health, and make a difference in our everyday mental health and activities. Likewise, creating a habit of whole foods over processed foods can be the difference in preventable diseases, and various types of cancer.
It’s all huge and we do the best we can. But sometimes we fall short. Sometimes our motivation wains. Sometimes it feels like our bodies, our health, and fitness is becoming our primary focus and sometimes we can’t find our consistency and fall back into old habits.
Frustrating to say the least!
SLEEP. Some people have a really tough time with this one.
Let’s say you want to develop the habit of getting your day started early. You want to be one of those people who celebrates daybreak by sipping on a cup of herbal tea, post yoga, and putting your thoughts down in your journal, right before meditation.
You realize this will remain nothing more than a vision as long as you get into bed late, because you read one more chapter, listened to one more YouTube video, or decided midnight was the perfect time to look at your text messages or respond to emails.
HABITS! The're all the same really - Water, Procrastination, Health and fitness, Sleep and so many more (mind management, financial management, skipping meals, not going in for annual checkups. . . )
Why is it so challenging to replace our bad habits with those that would add vitality and provide a sense of accomplishment?
Well, there are several reasons, of course. Some of the ones that stand out for me are as follows:
HABITS ARE AUTOMATIC – Good or bad, habits are our routine that makes our lives easier.
HABITS HAVE A PAYOFF – All of the habits we have in our life right now, (good or bad) have a payoff – they benefit us in some way, even if they are bad for us in other ways. What is the payoff you’re getting from your bad habits? That’s one to ponder.
THEY’VE BEEN WITH US FOR A LONG TIME – they are deeply ingrained. I think I’ve read that even when you replace a bad habit with a better habit, the bad habit doesn’t disappear. The good habit doesn’t erase the bad habit. So, we have to strengthen the new habit and suppress the original one.
By the way, this post is not meant to overwhelm or trigger anyone into thinking, we need “fixing.” For most of us, we want to be the best version of our already pretty perfect selves. But there’s always room for some improvements. After all we’re human.
Let me also add, I’m by no means the expert on habit formation. Know there are lots of really (really) good books on habit. Look for them.
And remember take it easy.
We’re all a work in progress.
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