Steps to Develop a New (Healthy) Habit and Self-Care Routine

06 May Steps to Develop a New (Healthy) Habit and Self-Care Routine

Self-care is a habit that develops over time, but it starts (like most things) with conscious effort! If you don’t currently have self-care routines built into your life and you decide you want to embrace more self-care (which I hope you do after reading the first two blog posts already posted in this series!), then you need to start planning for it. By planning ahead, you’ll ensure that self-care is not forgotten in your busy schedule.

Developing any new healthy habit — exercising, honoring your body with better nutrition, going to bed earlier, waking up earlier, taking daily walks, drinking less alcohol, limiting screen-time, establishing a morning routine, etc. – takes effort in the beginning, but that effort lessons over time.

I’ve been asked by many clients and friends how to find motivation to make healthier changes. The secret? If you wait for motivation to strike you, it likely won’t. Instead, just start small and try to do something manageable until that kicks your motivation into gear. And trust me, it always will if you start first!

Below are helpful tips for when you’re adopting a new self-care habit or practice. This list is certainly not exhaustive, since the choices of healthy habits you can develop are truly endless!

1. Think of some healthy habits you already do and make a realistic list of some healthy habits you’d wish to adopt in the near future. You may be surprised by how many self-care practices you do already on a daily basis! Avoid creating an overly-ambitious list that can make you feel defeated if your goals are not achieved. It is better to start with a smaller list of 1-3 self-care habits and work up from there over time.

2. Make time in your schedule at the beginning of the week to complete your new self-care practices. If you wish to start a workout routine for example, finding an hour-plus randomly a few days a week for a gym, a class, a bike ride, or a walk/run might just be impossible. However, I’ll bet that finding 20-30 minutes isn’t impossible if you think about the time you may be spending on something that doesn’t make you feel as good (couch time, surfing the internet, social media). Choose the time you can spend on self-care ahead of time so that you can have it on your calendar like any other appointment. Setting aside time for yourself before the busy week begins will ensure you stay on track and honor your new goal.

3. Devise a plan! Plans can ensure that you stay accountable with your new goal. Maybe you want to hire a personal trainer to help you with your fitness goals. Maybe you download an app onto your phone to remind you that it’s almost bedtime. Or, maybe you set reminders on your phone or television to limit your screen time. You may need to enlist your partner to help you stay on track or watch the kids for 30 minutes while you soak away your stress in the tub. Remember, YOU are in charge of your success and developing a reasonable plan can be great way to set you up for achieving that.

4. Start a journal! Creating some sort of journal on your phone or on paper can be a great way to track your progress and stay motivated over time. Write down how your new self-care practice makes you feel and any other changes you may notice. You may be surprised the difference journaling makes in your long-term progress! It can act as a reminder to be patient. Results and habit adoption take time and discipline!

I’m curious what else you have tried to help you get started with new, healthier self-care practices. Please share on social media (@bonviehealth) and tag it #selfcaremadesimple. I’d love to hear your tips!