WHAT is a keystone habit? It’s a habit or set of habits that people introduce into their routines that unintentionally carry over into other aspects of their lives. We know time and again that being healthy is good for us, but why is it so hard for some people to adopt healthy habits? The cost for good habits is in the present. Initially, it is not pleasurable. Vegetables don’t taste that great for most people compared to junk food. Exercise causes discomfort to the uninitiated. More often than not, eating that slice of cake, or lounging on a couch is more satisfying in the short term compared to putting in good healthy habits. The cost for poor unhealthy habits shows up in the long term.
Here are some tips to make good health a habit:
The most effective way to adopt a habit is by focusing on who you want to become, not what you want to achieve. If you think of yourself as a person who wants to be healthy, you will act in accordance to who you perceive yourself to be.
Focusing on the system is just as important as your goals. A lot of people set up New Year’s Resolutions, some fail. Those who fail, fail not for the lack of goals, but for the lack of planning the system that could lead them to achieve their goals. So if one wants to be healthy, one must focus too on preparing grocery lists, following healthier recipes at home, readying systems for better exercise, managing stress and getting good quality sleep.
There are no quick fixes. Changes that seem small and unimportant will compound into something remarkable if you’re willing to stick with them for years. That pint of ice cream doesn’t show up straight away; it only shows up if you eat that pint of ice cream every single day for a significant amount of time. The same is true for exercise and healthy eating. You won’t see the results right away, but keep at it for a significant amount of time and you’ll see its benefits for you.
During this time of Covid-19, it’s understandable that people may be preoccupied with so many worries and anxieties. But we can also use this time to improve on our habits and get healthier in preparation for the years ahead.