If Your Healthy Habits Aren’t Sticking, Ask Yourself THIS Question

Home workout healthy habits phone with exercise equipment

Are your healthy habits just not sticking? Ask yourself this:

I see this with my clients (and myself) all the time. You’re trying to eat more vegetables, workout multiple times a week, *insert other healthy habit here*, and you just aren’t getting the consistency you feel you should. Here’s an important question:

Are my basic needs being met?

More often than not, my clients are not getting all their basic needs met. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, are overwhelmed with responsibilities, or struggling with mental health, adding something else to your plate isn’t going to be helpful.

Start small and supportive of your basic needs when working on healthy habits. 

>> Do you need to focus on going to bed earlier?

Sleep is incredibly important for maintaining our health. If you aren’t getting enough sleep, your mood is affected, your appetite is affected, weight loss becomes more difficult, and your day is just overall harder. Here’s a few ways to focus on meeting your need for sleep:

  1. Establish a bedtime routine: Create a relaxing bedtime routine to signal to your body that it’s time to wind down. This could include activities like reading, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation techniques.

  2. Limit screen time before bed: Avoid screens (phones, tablets, computers, TVs) at least an hour before bedtime, as the blue light can interfere with your body’s natural sleep-wake cycle.

  3. Create a comfortable sleep environment: Ensure your bedroom is conducive to sleep by keeping it dark, quiet, and cool. Invest in a comfortable mattress and pillows.

  4. Set a consistent sleep schedule: Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends, to regulate your body’s internal clock.

  5. Avoid caffeine and heavy meals close to bedtime: Limit caffeine consumption in the afternoon and avoid heavy or large meals within a few hours of bedtime.

  6. Relaxation techniques: Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or yoga to help you unwind before bed.

  7. Limit naps: If you need to nap, keep it short (20-30 minutes) and avoid napping late in the day.

  8. Exercise regularly: Regular physical activity can help you fall asleep faster and enjoy deeper sleep. However, avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime.

  9. Manage stress: Find healthy ways to manage stress, such as through journaling, talking to a friend or therapist, or engaging in a hobby.

  10. Seek professional help: If you have persistent trouble sleeping, consider seeking help from a healthcare professional. They can help diagnose and treat any underlying sleep disorders or issues.

>> Do you need to seek treatment for anxiety or depression? (🙋‍♀️I did.)

>> Do you need to remove some commitments from your plate?

Saying no or removing things from your calendar can have several benefits for your mental health, well-being, and productivity:

 

  1. Reduced stress: Saying no to commitments that overwhelm you can reduce your stress levels and prevent burnout.

  2. Increased focus: Removing non-essential tasks from your calendar can help you focus on what truly matters and be more productive.

  3. Improved time management: Saying no to unnecessary commitments can free up time for activities that align with your priorities and goals.

  4. Better work-life balance: Removing non-essential tasks can create more time for activities outside of work, leading to a better work-life balance.

  5. Enhanced mental health: Saying no to things that drain your energy or cause you stress can improve your overall mental health and well-being.

  6. Increased self-care: Removing commitments that don’t serve you allows more time for self-care activities, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies.

  7. Improved relationships: Saying no to commitments that don’t align with your values or priorities can improve your relationships by allowing you to focus on meaningful connections.

  8. Greater sense of control: Removing things from your calendar that you don’t want to do can give you a greater sense of control over your life and choices.

>> Do you need to lovingly enforce some boundaries with people in your life?

Boundaries are crucial for several reasons: 

  1. Self-Respect: Boundaries demonstrate that you respect yourself enough to honor your needs, feelings, and limits.

  2. Healthy Relationships: They define acceptable behaviors in relationships, fostering respect, trust, and mutual understanding.

  3. Emotional Well-being: Boundaries protect you from being overwhelmed by the emotions and needs of others, preserving your mental health.

  4. Clear Communication: They help you communicate your needs and expectations clearly, reducing misunderstandings and conflicts.

  5. Personal Growth: Setting boundaries encourages personal growth by helping you identify and prioritize your values and goals.

  6. Empowerment: Establishing boundaries empowers you to make choices that align with your values and priorities, leading to a more fulfilling life.

 

If there’s one thing you take away from this post, take this:

“Healthy” is more than the vegetables you eat and the workouts you do. 

So if you’re trying to implement more healthy habits into your life, don’t just think about diet and exercise, think about your wellbeing as a whole.

Unsure of where to start? Keep scrolling for my last call offer so you can achieve the easiest and biggest success.

Ready to actually start working out but aren’t sure wtf to do?

Grab the free workout guide here. It includes four workouts that can be adjusted to take 10, 20 or 30 minutes. They are modifiable, repeatable, and effective. Perfect for busy moms on a time crunch.

 

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