Let’s talk about how to create new habits this year. Creating new and better habits can actually simplify our lives.
“Habit is a cable; we weave a thread each day, and at last we cannot break it.”
Horace Mann
We all have times in our lives where we intentionally want to change our behavior for the better and create new habits for ourselves. Sometimes, this decision is preceded by a health, financial, or psychological crisis. Other times, we simply know that whatever we’re doing – getting lost in app games, mindlessly eating, thinking negatively – has got to end. These poor habits are not making us happier.
Better habits could be as simple as making higher-end food choices, drinking more water, or getting more sleep. Or it could be moving more and taking the dog for a daily walk. Or it could be work related, or spiritual, or… There are so many areas in our lives that could be improved and made easier if we created new habits.
“It is easier to prevent bad habits than to break them.”
Benjamin Franklin
Ben Franklin knew what he was talking about. Getting into the habit of doing something is often easier said than done. “Bad” habits seem to stick to us, we acquire them without effort or awareness. While making a “good” habit stick can be a little more challenging.
Challenging but not impossible. And challenges are well worth facing. Once a new habit is ingrained in our days and thoughts, practicing it becomes effortless – something we do without thinking like brushing our teeth.
The three-step habit-changing process
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Decide What You Want To Do
The first step is to decide what you want that new habit to be. Let’s start with sleep. Be as specific as possible. Don’t just tell yourself you’d like to sleep more. Instead decide when you’d like to wake up in the morning for an optimal day. Count 7 to 9 hours backwards – the optimal number of hours recommended for adults by the National Sleep Foundation. That gives you the time when our lights go out so you wake up refreshed.
Add 30 minutes before lights out for self care in the form of a bedtime routine comprised of things you love, That way, bedtime becomes something you look forward to, becoming a habit that stays. Make a list of what you might include – another way to be specific. Filling this list with things you genuinely enjoy that also support sleep is motivating.
“If you pick the right small behavior and sequence it right, then you won’t have to motivate yourself to have it grow. It will just happen naturally, like a good seed planted in a good spot.”
BJ Fogg
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Remind Yourself To Get It Done
With a bedtime routine in place, the next few days should be smooth sailing. You’re motivated and excited to get this happening. Sticking to your new habit isn’t an issue. But a few days in you’ll notice that it’s easy to slip back into old habits.
Maybe there’s an awards show or ball game that pushes your bedtime routine and lights out time back by 30 minutes to an hour. Or maybe your day just gets away from you and you never got some social time in with your family or friends. This is when it’s important to have a daily reminder. Set an alert on your phone or add the new habit to your daily to-do list for a while.
If your new habit is sleep, set two alerts: one an hour before your bedtime routine to remind you to get away from the screens; the second to go off 30 minutes before lights out to remind you to slow down and get involved with that bedtime routine.
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Make It Part Of Your Routine Until It Becomes A Habit
Which brings us to the last step. It takes some time before a new behavior becomes a true habit. Until then, a routine will work to your best advantage. Even before the new behavior becomes automatic, a routine will help you get it done without having to spend a lot of willpower or relying on daily reminders.
You can stack your life – combine two or more positive habits together. Make that daily walk part of your after-dinner routine which then becomes a daily hiatus from screens and leads into your bedtime routine. Perhaps you can pack a few healthy snacks to carry with you during the day which gets you away from the vending machine and saves you some money.
No matter how you proceed, congratulations! You’ve decided to create the new habit, practice the routine until it’s second nature. You’ll not only be well on your way to forming a new habit, you’ll be modeling for those you love that positive change is possible.
Two of the best habits to set in place at bedtime are to connect with your child and help them release the day. Your child will feel safe, loved, and more easily transition to sleep. And the more easy the transition to sleep, the more evenings you can reclaim! Get the free Put the Day to Bed guided visualization and illustrated printable and make it part of your bedtime. Fill out the form below now and get started tonight.