Experts say making smaller goes to reach a larger goal is the way to go.
SAN ANTONIO — Having a healthier lifestyle can be as easy as making small daily challenges for yourself that eventually become a long term health habit that sticks. Reaching those short term goals daily, will help you reach your long term goals even easier.
We hear the phrase “Walk the talk” often. And when it comes to health, many may talk about what they want to do, but actually putting it into action is another story. That’s why making small goals to reach that larger goal of becoming healthy is often the easiest way to go. Andi Person, the Teladoc Health supervisor of coaching services told us, “Challenges are short term focused goals that really feel manageable and motivating. They break up those big goals into smaller, achievable steps.”
Try these simple and attainable health challenges, like walking 10 minutes a day or three times a week to get moving. Journal daily for stress relief or mindfulness. Drink more water and swap sugary drinks for a week. Track sleep and aim for 7–9 hours consistently. Person added, “After completing a challenge, it really gives you a sense of accomplishment with which then increases the likelihood of keeping that habit and can actually motivate you to build upon it as well.”
The more often you complete that challenge, the more long term that challenge can become, turning it into a habit. “Building small onto that challenge reinforces that behavior and really starts to make it become automatic,” said Person.
Try these tips to keep a habit long-term. Layer habits slowly. Start with one, then adding others. Make sure you are held accountable, through friends, coworkers, or online groups. Reward yourself in a healthy way for sticking with the habit. And remember that small, consistent actions over time lead to lifelong health benefits. And don’t be afraid of setbacks. Person told us, “If you’re finding that maybe that challenge is unattainable, well, then maybe we just need to adjust that habit if needed by reducing the frequency or simplifying it temporarily.”