by Daphne Fuller, RYT, MA, LPC
All of us, whether big or small, healthy or unhealthy, we all have them. Are you carrying around baggage from years ago and instead of working through it and releasing it you have attached yourself to habits that are holding you back in life and not allowing you to grow and see the results you desire? I know the majority of us want to feel good, look good and participate in healthy habits. I also know that it is easy to resort to unhealthy ones also. I am interested in knowing what healthy habits you incorporate into your life, the ones you want to incorporate and what you need help with.
This topic has really been weighing in on me because I have been struggling with my own, while rejoicing and being grateful for my new ones and for recognizing how my old habits have held me back, yet at the same time allowed me to cope with life when I knew no other way to cope. It is so important to view your habits not as dirty and disgraceful, but as an act, behavior, or thought that you used because that was the easiest for you to get back to what felt like normal. Now what is normal really? When we engage in unhealthy habits we are sending our self back to a mental and emotional space of what feels comfortable and safe for the moment. We all do know that the same feeling and emotion we were trying to create to help us feel safe does not last long before we are back to feeling lonely, frustrated, angry, irritated, sad, disappointed, ie. Explore with yourself or with a professional why you continue to resort back to this behavior. I know it makes you feel better, but what are you running from? Is it difficult for you to deal with the emotions of the situation you are in or the situation you were in? If you are at the stage that you are beginning to question your habits then it may be time to work begin the process towards change.
Here are a few tips for creating healthy habits.
Start a routine and stick to it.
1. Remember that it is a PROCESS.
2. Learn how to be happy and how to maintain a positive and healthy outlook. Many us think we have it all figured out until the shit hits the fan then we resort back to those unhealthy habits. Now trust me we are human and will not always have rainbows and butterflies shooting from our rear, so it is normal to just not be feeling it somedays and to get pissed off. It is how we bounce back and what we use to get us back that is the point of concern here.
3. Be conscientious of the real reason you are doing them, how you feel before you engage, how you feel during, how you feel after. What are your thoughts? Write them down.
4. Visualize what behaviors and feelings you do want. Write it down so that you can see it everyday.
5. Find the place or create the space, buy the food, the personal trainer, link with others engaging in the habit you for yourself.
6. DO IT! Over and over. Try it multiple times to get the best outcome regarding how you feel about it.
7. Recognize how this new habit makes you feel. Stay in that feeling. Close your eyes. Connect to it. Write about the habit you want to adopt. What feels so good about it? What is positive and healthy about it? If there is anything you do not like about it what is that then explore it more. Is it that it is more challenging because it is different that what you have been doing?
8. Be kind to yourself. Do not beat yourself up about it. Reflect on how you feel about it, any thoughts you have. Choose to do what is best for you, your purpose and your health!