Five Tricks for Acquiring Healthy Habits

Habits are something that everyone has. They can be really great for you — hello, drinking half your body weight in water each day; or the total opposite — hello, midnight ice cream raid. If you'd like to live a healthier and more balanced life, acquiring good habits is a great first step. It's not always easy, so here are five tips to help get you there.

Think Long Term

Before working towards a new healthy habit, make sure to think about its potential for longevity. Maybe you're a smoker who really wants to quit, but you're finding it to be difficult. Establishing a new routine in place of smoking, such as eating an apple or having a stick of gum every time a craving hits, could eventually overtake that habit's space in your life. As a result, you will become healthier with each passing day.   

Ask for Help

Sometimes a little extra push is needed to get the ball rolling. Did you know that the health of your gastrointestinal tract — or gut — can have a huge influence on how your body functions? For instance... if your gut is imbalanced or leaking toxins into your body, you might end up more susceptible to unhealthy cravings that can quickly derail your healthy diet. Or maybe you're shooting to improve your body's ability to properly rest, but your imbalanced gut messes with that, too. Adding the bio complete 3 supplement to your daily regimen can help you get your system back on track so you can forge ahead.   

Take Your Time

While heading out of the gate at full speed might work with horse racing, the same doesn't go for establishing healthy habits. A positive mindset and enthusiasm to conquer all are both great things and will serve you well, but when it comes to habits, slow and steady is best. You are less likely to become discouraged if you don't take on too much all at once. If one of your goals is to start exercising every day, start with something you know you can do without a doubt. A ten minute cardio workout will be a lot more manageable than 45 minutes in the beginning, and you'll pick up momentum from small victories.

Prioritize What Matters 

When it comes to your overall health and wellness, what truly matters to you? Do you know what you can do to make yourself happier and healthier? Grabbing a notepad and outlining everything you would like to improve through healthy habits is a good way to get a look at the big picture. Maybe you're feeling stretched too thin between work, family and everything else that life serves up. And deep down, you know you need to unwind and decompress. Unfortunately, that time you crave won't just make itself available. Do what you have to do to make this happen. Remember it's healthy to look out yourself. 

Find Strength in Numbers

While holding yourself accountable is an important part of establishing healthy habits, accountability in a group or with even just one other person is often even a more effective way to stay on track and meet your goal. Do you have some co-workers who could use fresh air and movement during the day? Consider teaming up together to make a lunch break walk a standing date every day. You'll have the healthy pressure of sticking to the plan, and before you know it, daily exercising will be second nature for everyone involved. 

Improving your life through habits is something that takes intention, motivation, discipline and time. It won't always be easy, but the feeling you'll get once you've made them permanent fixtures in your everyday will be more than worth it. There also might be times when you need a little help along the way, and that's okay. You have the tools you need to be successful. Good luck!