Have you ever made a promise to yourself that you didn't keep?
Commonly, when the new year ticks over, we were make resolutions: going to
the gym, studying harder or giving up a bad habit. Sadly, not long after we've made the
promise, we often end up breaking them. But what if you want to create a new good habit?
Well, it's possible, but willpower might not be the one thing you need.
The basic idea of a habit is something we do almost unconsciously, as if you're on
autopilot. An example of this would be having breakfast or saying 'please '
and ' thank you' . Good habits can be part of your daily routine. But if we don't have
those habits, how can we create them? According to a study published by the European
Journal of Social Psychology, it takes an average of 66 days to form a new habit.
However , relying only on determination may not be the answer.
Questioning why you want something to be the norm rather than relying on your
resolve could be the key. Do you want to lose weight because you want to be
heathier or feel mere attractive? The issue is , willpower could be subject to your mood-
a bad mood may mean you don't want to do something.
You should also avoid trying to change too much at once- remember that its a
case of baby steps. Giving up all your favourite foods, going to the gym, and
stopping drinking at the same time will probably result in failure rather than
sustainable practice. And don't worry about failing- just start again!
Finally, don't do things outside your comfort zone. If you hate mushrooms, don't
persevere and try to add them to your diet just to be healthier. Eat something you like!
It might not be quick, but if you follow these tips, you may be able to