- posted: Jan. 24, 2024
I believe our biggest enemy when it comes to making healthy changes and goals is being realistic. We set goals that are too hard to accomplish within a small time period. This gives us an unrealistic negative feeling and sense of failure that just isn't true. But we so easily get deterred and then just give up.
So this year my recommendation is to set realistic goals for yourself. Goals you can reach in smaller time periods. So then when you reach your goals you get a boost of endorphins and achievement feelings. This gives you a boost in morale and allows you to happily continue moving forward toward your ultimate goal.
Lets take some healthy lifestyle choices like good sleep, healthy diet, less stress, more exercise and chiropractic care. These are just some of the many things that can create a better, healthier life for you and your family. So you need to break down each element you want to work on. Make several small, realistic goals and then a long term goal. Then figure out steps to take to reach each short term goal, that will ultimately lead to that long term goal. And lets take even a step back... we have five things to work on above, so lets not overwhelm ourselves. That will set us up for failure. So lets start with one thing. I'm going to do this with you, I will work on all five things myself with this new year. Today lets focus on Sleep! The average healthy adult should get at least 7 hours of sleep per night. Me, I have a very hard time falling asleep, getting my brain to shut down. Add that to not getting into bed by a decent time, which leads to my maybe 5 hours of sleep per night. NOT GOOD.
Long term Goal - 7/8 hours of sleep every night
Short term Goal - laying down by 10pm (I normally lay down around 11, sometimes 11:30 :-/)
step 1- No phone in bed, disconnect
step 2 - Read before bed, health book/educational book (novels will keep me reading, no good I cant put it down books!! A book like 'Fat for Fuel' by Dr. Mercola.. something that contains information that is good to know, things to help keep you and your family healthy and happy)
So now I have an idea of some things to help me reach my long term and short term goal. Now I will take my list and try to incorporate as many things as I can and note what I accomplish. I will try to maintain these tasks for 2 months. It used to be said that it takes 21 days to create a habit, but many new reports show it takes about 2 months or longer depending on the individual.
Once I seem to have a habit created, I will continue to hold myself accountable for these tasks. and note how many nights I am accomplishing 7/8 hours of sleep. After 6 months my hope will be that this is my new normal.
Good Luck!! :-) with your goals and next week, I will make my healthier diet goals.
-Jessica
