How to Create Healthy Habits

Do you often ask yourself how to be more healthy? The first question that you need to ask yourself is:

What does healthy mean to you?

Merriam-Webster defines healthy as "being in good health." If you are anything like me, you really don't like when they use the word to define itself. When you look up health there are a few definitions:

1. 
   

   1. the condition of being sound in body, mind or spirit

   2. the general condition of the body

2. 
   

   1. a condition in which someone or something is thriving or doing well

   2. general condition or state

These definitions are ambiguous at best. You should take these definitions in mind and think of what health or healthy means to you personally. It can mean something different to everyone.

Here are some examples of what you may (or may not) consider healthy:

• eats well

• works out

• has fun

• is skinny

• is strong

• lives to an old age

  • etc.

Creating a Habit

Habits don't just come from thin air. People that have habits (both good and bad) have developed them over time. Research suggests that it takes an average of 66 days (range of 18-254 days) to form a habit (healthy or not). That means that it takes more than 2 months for most people to form a habit (this is not including addictive substances like nicotine).

On the other side, breaking a habit can also take a long time. A popular study in 1960 stated it takes 21 days to break a habit, but it takes longer (same research as creating a habit).

If you are trying to change from a "bad" habit to a healthy habit, the best way to do so is to replace the habit. For example; if you are trying to quit binging TV shows try reading a book during the time you normally watch TV.

Key Points

Trying to become healthier is a lot of work. It is important to note that getting in the habit of making good choices (ice cream vs. berries for dessert) is not easy. To help you succeed in changing habits here are some tips to remember:

1. Messing up is not failure

2. It often takes more than 1 try

3. Find an accountability partner

4. Even small changes are good

5. Find people that share interests

6. Talk with someone

7. Try during a time when you don't have a lot of outside stress

8. Help other people that want to change

9. Know why you are making the change

10. Keep trying (if that's what you want)