I've Discovered when Health Habits Begin

I've Discovered when Health Habits Begin.

And it’s NOT just on January 1st.

Though as we start looking towards the new year, it’s easy to start thinking about what we want to change about our lives and how to pursue our goals. Health habits are key to that.

Health Habits (in my definition) are those small little things that you do consistently that build up great successes over time. Think about how a small snowball can roll down a hill, gaining speed and size slowly, until it becomes a huge force to reckon with! The snowball effect (right!)

So, we all can agree that health habits are important.

But when do “healthy habits” begin.

Over my short (or long) 39 years on this earth, I’ve discovered that I can’t every really start a new healthy habit and keep it up… unless I begin at night!

For me, all healthy habits begin at night! They begin with the intention, preparation and anticipation of the healthy habit that I want to achieve!

For example:

• If I want to work out and exercise in the morning… it all begins with a good night sleep, which begins with going to bed early! (and not just assuming that the super early alarm clock will solve all my problems of getting up.)

• If I want to pursue a habit of eating well…then I need to stop snacking late at night.

• If I want to have positive and motivated thoughts in the morning, then I need to end my day with positive thoughts and fill my mind with redemptive stories.

Health habits begin at night… with the intention of my goals. I have to know what I want to accomplish. I personally need to write these down (and I recommend that everyone writes them down). This is why I’ve used Michael Hyatt’s Full Focus Planner for nearly 2 years now. Writing down the intention of my goals is key!

Health habits begin at night… with the preparation to achieve my goals. I might need to lay out my exercise clothes for the morning and double-check my alarm. I need to confirm any morning appointments I have and check the refrigerator for the breakfast items I’ll need to prepare. Whatever it is, I must be prepared.

Health habits begin at night… with the anticipation of my goals. When my head hits the pillow… I want to be thinking about what I hope to accomplish. My mind needs to be set. I need to anticipate - without anxiety - what I’m looking forward to doing! This makes it fun and motivating.

All of these things (for me) need to begin at night! If I wait til morning… I’m already behind.

This means (and this is a whole different blog post) that I’ll need to give up some comforts or escapes or coping mechanisms that we love to do at night… Netflix binges, drinking too much alcohol, snacking on unhealthy foods, worrying about tomorrow… these things need to be dropped.

For me… I need to just go to bed early and start my health habits at night!

And when I do, it works every time!