Q&A: How do I make or break a habit?
Q: How can I use this period of isolation and working from home, to make or break some healthy habits?
A: This time of restricted travel and socializing is an ideal time to add or delete 1-2 behaviors that we want to change. Creating or breaking a habit requires consistency and repetition, but this isn’t usually easy. With this mandated break, we have the benefit of consistency right now. Without racing to the airport, commuting to work, or feeling obligated to attend an event, it’s easier to set a routine.
To fully capitalize on our newfound stability, there are a few things we can do to increase our chances to form a new habit or break an old one.
Pick Two Actions
First, focus your attention on a maximum of two specific actions that you can commit to daily for the next 4 weeks. Before COVID, we needed 3-6 months to solidify an action into a habit because our work life was in constant flux and flow. By embracing more time at home, we can significantly shorten the time needed to make or break a habit.
Are they Sustainable
Next, ensure you could continue your specific actions into your lifestyle once the travel and work restrictions are lifted.
Are they Achievable
Third, call it a 30-day ‘experiment’, to take the pressure of perfectionism off.
Make Yourself Accountable
Fourth, set a 2-week reminder in case you fall off the wagon.
Reward and Temptation
Fifth, take a tip from Ultralearning, by Scott H Young, and remove an unwanted habit by understanding and replacing the needs that it services. For example, if eating Ben & Jerry’s while watching Netflix gives you a sense of reward and relaxation after a productive day of work, you could replace those needs with some restorative yoga and a candlelit Epsom salt bath—both great ways to reward yourself and relax. Another of his suggestions that we support at Mountain Trek, would be to remove the temptation altogether in the first place. Meaning, don’t purchase the ice cream.
I suggest diving deeper into proper habit formation by reading our article: Building Healthy Habits in 6 Easy Steps
What is Mountain Trek?
Mountain Trek is the health reset you’ve been looking for. Our award-winning retreat, immersed in the lush nature of British Columbia, will help you unplug, recharge, and roll back years of stress and unhealthy habits. To learn more about the retreat, and how we can help you reset your health, please email us at info@mountaintrek.com or reach out below:
