Seniors can change their habits while still having fun! These 6 easy steps will guide you through this process!
Changing a lifestyle habit can be hard but it is never too late, even in retirement. Whether you want to eat more vegetables, exercise more, or do yoga every day, the same recipe goes: You need motivation, time, and willpower. Here are some tips to keep track of your goals and boost your motivation along the way!
List the benefits of your lifestyle changes
List the benefits you want to obtain from the changes you are making. What are you gaining from quitting smoking, exercising more, or changing your diet? You will get the best results by capitalizing on the reasons that are pushing you to make those changes in the first place.
For example, healthy eating is not as challenging to maintain as you might think, and the benefits for your overall health are undeniable:
- Having more energy
- Having better digestion
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Discovering new foods
- Trying new recipes in the kitchen
Feel free to repeat this exercise with each new habit you are trying to introduce, like physical activity. Your lifestyle is different in retirement, and it is the perfect time to try new experiences.
Do you want to start swimming at the pool once a week or more? Ask a friend to join. Together, you can cheer each other on and stay motivated more easily.
Treat yourself for each successfully changed habit
Look at this change as an accomplishment and celebrate it by treating yourself to something that is useful to the new habit. Get yourself a new pair of shoes to motivate you to take a walk every day, a new yoga mat for your daily sessions, a subscription to a local produce basket, a new kitchen accessory, etc. Don’t forget that the key is to make your new challenge fun.
Measure your progress and consistency
The most challenging part of changing a habit is consistency. One that is achieved, it is a question of maintaining it. Writing about your progress every day will make you more inclined to stay motivated by letting you see where you started from and allowing you to be more aware of the slacking moments. This diary will make you want to stay on the right track!
Be patient, changing a habit takes time
Do not expect to get rid of a bad habit in a week or to become an athlete in two. A study conducted by London scientists* has shown that it takes an average of 66 days to change a habit. Do not get discouraged if you find that a few weeks in your new habit has not been entirely integrated into your lifestyle. That is normal, keep it up!
Just start somewhere!
It is better to start small than to never start at all. Do not set up unattainable goals that would get you discouraged. Instead, rely on small changes that make sense according to your starting point. Rather than wanting to change everything at once, focus on one habit at a time. For instance, if your goal is to exercise more, start by implementing small active breaks into your day.
Once your goal is set, why not break it down into smaller ones? Make sure each one is specific, attainable, and quantifiable. You will see for yourself how this method can make all the difference to keep the motivation up and get results!
Let your entourage know
You do not have to go through this process alone. Sharing your desire to change a habit with friends and family will keep you accountable and motivated to achieve your goal. Some of them might even want to join you on your journey to success! The more the better!
Conclusion
Changing a daily habit and introducing new ones can take some time, which is totally normal. Retirement happens to be a period where you have time to experiment with new lifestyles. Make the most of it!
So, which habit are you going to change first?
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