Habitual Cycles

What’s your tendency? Do you find yourself going ‘gung-ho’ only to burn yourself out? Ever have the best intentions to break a bad habit but for some reason it just keeps creeping up on you?

You’re not alone. Humans, myself included, have a tendency to continue with the comfortable. And while a bad habit, negative thought, or destructive behavior isn’t always comfortable the alternative (the unknown) is certainly more unsettling.

You Can Change

“Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” -Albert Einstein

You really can do something different, if you want to. What I suggest is weighing the pros and cons of the behavior you are looking to shift. So here we are- the start of a new year- and a perfect time for embracing new behaviors.

Let’s say you are looking to lose weight, an easy example many of us can relate to. What are the ways we can do this? Well, we can change our eating habits. We can start exercising. We can get proper rest so that we’re not stressed out. We can cut out the booze. There are many options to living a healthier lifestyle.

Slow Down

And while you have the best intentions to change, what usually happens? You start out full steam ahead and then putter out and ease back into old habits. Why is this?

One reason is you’re trying to change too many things at one time.

The body craves balance. Our entire life is about creating homeostasis. Breathing in oxygen and letting off carbon dioxide. Circadian rhythms. Nature and its seasonal changes. The list goes on and on and as a nurse I am sure you can name plenty others.

But one of the reasons we don’t make progress full speed ahead is our chaotic approach. You’re doing too much! Try a new way this new year.

One Thing at a Time

Instead of changing everything all at once, what is one thing you can do? What is the one step you can take? I’d encourage you to think about  your year ahead. What is the healthier behaviors you want more of? What are some experiences you’d like to have less of?

Pick one thing and just take one small step a day at a time. There was much wisdom in the story of Tortoise and the Hare. And I know you know as well as I do who won that race… How will you succeed this upcoming year?

Then said the Tortoise: “Plodding wins the race.”

I invite you to share below the first action step you will take. How will you enjoy slow and steady? Go ahead and share a comment below and let your friends know! Socially share using the buttons below if you like :- )