How To Change Your Lifestyle For The Better

Making sustainable lifestyle changes is a process that takes time, dedication & patience. Learn how to change your lifestyle for the better.

Making the decision to invest in healthy lifestyle changes that support your mental and physical health and well-being is more than just flipping a switch. Studies have found that it takes an average of 66 days for a new habit to become automatic. However the truth is that building and maintaining lifestyle changes is highly dependent on each individual. For this reason, it is important to make your lifestyle changes happen incrementally and fit your life so you can give yourself grace as you find the rhythm that works for you.

Here are some easy strategies that can help you change your lifestyle for the better:

1. Change your lifestyle by working on one behavior at the time

You don’t have to do it all at once! In fact, it’s nearly impossible to make lifestyle changes that last if you are doing them all at the same time. Making lifestyle changes requires patience and dedication. Your brain is learning a new skill and needs time and focus to build those neuropathways. So, focus on building one behavior at a time.

2. Accept that changing your lifestyle takes time

You have to understand that ANY change – including behavior change – is a NON-LINEAR PROCESS. This means: Accept that it takes time, there are no short cuts possible and there will be setbacks to deal with.

Building habits takes time. Be patient with yourself and understand that the fastest way forward isn’t always the smartest way forward. The goal in creating lifestyle changes isn’t to get to the finish line as quickly as possible. The goal is to build habits that are sustainable in your everyday life. So, give yourself time to start small and build on success so that the end result is rock solid.

3. Find your Why and set your overall Goal

Finding your why is the single greatest thing you can do if you want to make your lifestyle change easy. By discovering what your deepest goal is, you can stay motivated and positive during the process. When setting goals, it is helpful to focus on overall health and lifestyle. Whether your stay motivated with numerical indicators such as weight management or how much you can bench, or with hobbies and daily activities like being able to run with your friends or play with your kids, finding your deepest why will help you build habits that last.

Communicate your WHY and overall GOAL to family and friends. It helps you to commit yourself and to clearly formulate your personal WHY and long-term GOAL. It’s definitely worth the time and thoughts spend on it.

4. Set achievable Goals and Milestones

A successful behavior change is not a sudden change – rather an incremental shift. Therefore, set yourself realistic & achievable (mini) goals by splitting your overall goal into milestones or activity swaps. Instead of expecting to run a marathon in six months, shoot for running a 5K and work up to the marathon. Or if you like to live a healthier lifestyle you can learn to swap out junk food for healthier options as one habit that you can likely maintain even when you aren’t constantly in the mood to go to the gym.

Setting realistic goals that you can achieve and then building on them will help you maintain momentum and stay motivated.

5. Consistency is key if you want to change your lifestyle

Changing your lifestyle means you are building new habits and routines – and this is basically the hardest part. Building new habits needs consistency.Building habits takes time. Be patient with yourself and understand that the fastest way forward isn’t always the smartest way forward. The goal in creating lifestyle changes isn’t to get to the finish line as quickly as possible. The goal is to build consistent habits that are sustainable in your everyday life. So, give yourself time to start small and build on success so that the end result is rock solid.

6. Get a Lifestyle Buddy - or two

Together you are stronger – so go and find yourself a lifestyle buddy or two. One of the easiest ways to make lifestyle changes is to do it with a partner! Find a buddy that is committed to the process and can keep you accountable. This will help you think of new habits to build, keep you motivated, and give you someone to talk to about the journey.