You want to do it, but how do you do it?

Have you ever had a goal of making a positive lifestyle change? One that you really want to accomplish…but you just can’t seem to make it happen? Chances are the answer is yes. The problem here is that most people think it takes pure self-control and willpower to make a change happen.

However, that is far from the truth. Willpower is a finite resource, and self-control depletes it. So if you’re relying on self-control to make your desired changes, chances are it won’t get you very far for very long.

Not to worry. There are other tools at your disposal:

·       Stimulus control: the concept behind stimulus control is that people respond in a certain way to the presence or the absence of a stimulus, which can promote or inhibit a behavior. So for example, if you’re looking to cut down on junk food, remove it from your home. This way instead of relying on self-control, you can rely on being too lazy to go to the store to buy some! Conversely, if you’re looking to make it to the gym after work, keep your gym bag in your car with everything you need in the passenger seat (where you can see it).

·       Start with small incremental changes: a common mistake is to try to do too much too fast. While there’s nothing wrong with ambitiousness, think about it; if you currently struggle with being active, which are you more likely to do consistently for the next month – get to the gym 6 times in one week, or once a week? The key here is to start with ONE goal so small you can easily commit and adhere to it, then work up from there to avoid becoming discouraged or giving up.

·       Make a specific and actionable plan: Let’s say your goal is to make time for yourself on the weekends so that you can go into work feeling refreshed. Plan ahead to achieve that goal. Schedule that massage a week in advance and make sure the babysitter is available so that once the weekend rolls around you’re all ready to go.

The goal here is to make that lifestyle change into a habit. By combining these strategies you’re able to remove willpower from the equation and make lasting change – pain-free!

#healinghandsmiami, #therapeuticmassage, #corporatewellness, #massage, #healthy, #howto, #healthylifestyle, #goodhabits