Bonus- you’ll learn some cool stuff about yourself along the way.
Science says it takes anywhere from 18-256 days to form or break a habit. Ummm…OK. How can one possibly embark on a journey to improve their habits around health with the mentality of “if I do this, maybe this will take 3 weeks. Or, maybe a year.”?
No wonder it’s hard to commit and conquer!
Not to worry, here are 4 Mind Body Techniques that will help you shift those habits and move you toward living your happiest and healthiest life. If nothing else, you’ll gain some insight into yourself!
Give yourself the opportunity to free write any thoughts and feeling you have about what habits you need to change. Don’t pass any judgment on what comes onto the paper. Just write.
Studies have shown that journaling is an effective mind and body tool for releasing negative emotions around an experience. Some results include a better mood and even increased immune support.
When it comes to changing your habits, journaling helps you identify things in your life that need shifting and focus on what need to be done to get there. When you write down your goals and formulate a plan, you’ve given yourself something tangible to look at and help keep you on track. If you have a day where you might not have been as successful as you wanted, you can journal any feelings that come up as a result.
Meditation helps focus your attention to thoughts that work in your favor and teaches you how to let go of any negative mental chatter that is keeping you stuck. You will learn to control your emotions through breath work, your heart rate stabilizes, digestion and sleep improve and you experience a clarity of thoughts. Meditate on what you’d like to accomplish from changing your habits and see yourself living that life.
Now you’ve determined what habits need to be changed, how you’ll reach that goal, and what it’ll look like once you’ve gotten there. Daily positive affirmations become the strong statements you say to yourself through the day, to keep you focused. Plus they’re a good boost for your mental health. Using affirmations increases self-efficacy and shifts your internal dialogue. Once you’ve learned that you control your thoughts, they don’t control you, you will “affirm” that you have the power to change your habits and reach that milestone.
That’s right, massage isn’t just a luxurious, self indulgent activity. It’s a great way to connect your body and mind. This is a powerful self care tool that will teach you the habit of slowing down, allowing your body to feel what it feels. Once you begin to experience relief from deep muscle aches, those lovely endorphins help you understand that it’s ok to put you and your wellbeing first.
What better way to engage in healthier habits than feeling the first hand results? More of that please!
Some habits are easier than others to shift, but even the easy ones take time, effort and maybe a little patience on your part. Like the Buddhists say, you wouldn’t plant a tree today then go outside tomorrow and yell at it because it has yet to bear fruit!
