How to Create Healthy Habits With a Consistent Routine

If you need that late night bowl of frozen sanity, then, by all means, indulge yo’ self. If you’re hoarding a personal stash of chocolate rewards, I say do what ya’ gotta do to survive, sister. 

No judgment here.

Most “healthy habit” chatter (especially this time of year) typically includes well-intentioned aspirations to eat better, hydrate well, and move more. While these are worthy goals, they are not the kind of “healthy habits” I’m referring to,

I’m talking about habits that are reasonable, practical, flexible – the ones that keep you doing what’s most important.

With good intentions, we create expectations for ourselves that, in real life, are unreasonable, impractical, and so rigid that we position ourselves to fail from the get-go. Been there. Done that.

Now, don’t get me wrong. I am all about perseverance and doing hard things. But I am also about reality, flexibility, adaptability – and grace. 

Over and over I see women self-sabotaging because they cannot meet their preconceived “ideal” expectation of whatever it is they think they need to be doing. 

Stop it.  

Healthy habits are those things you do on a regular basis that result in a favorable outcome.

They keep you moving forward and fuel you with a sense of purpose and accomplishment. 

Unrealistic expectations with relentless boundaries will never permit you to experience this. 

Healthy habits, by themselves, are a good thing… but they aren’t enough for the long haul. It’s challenging to make a habit stick, especially if it’s something you’re trying to randomly throw into your day. 

Having a consistent routine is the secret sauce to maintaining healthy habits. A routine is a sequence of actions that helps you know what needs to happen and when it needs to happen. 

It helps you stay on track and creates an environment for healthy habits that stick. 

A consistent routine will reduce stress and help you own your day like a toddler owns every toy in the box. 

It allows you to show up as your best self and provides an opportunity to nurture forward-moving habits. It also creates momentum that will carry you through those days your get-up-and-go forgot how to go.

The idea of a routine may seem daunting and overwhelming to some, but here’s the deal…

A life without structure will suck the mental, physical, and emotional life right out of you… more so than any routine. 

Creating and following a daily routine will help you establish priorities, keep track of your goals, and keep any tendencies to procrastinate in check. I have found I rely less on willpower and motivation because my routine creates a natural flow for what needs to happen… so it does.

Now, just like skinny jeans and halter tops are not “one size fits all” (yikes, I can’t unsee that mental picture), there isn’t even a “one size fits most” for routines. What works for me may not work for you. 

The most important thing you can do is…

Choose the actions that resonate the most with you.

Find what pushes you to be the best version of yourself… and keep doing those things. 

Sister, don’t be afraid to try new habits and see how they work for you. If they leave you feeling satisfied, motivated, and inspired, then keep doing them. If they don’t, then scrap those suckers and keep searching until you find the ones that do. 

Here are a few basic tips to help you get started:

• Start small and simple – Begin with small habits like emptying the dishwasher first thing in the morning while your coffee is brewing or delete social media apps for a week to eliminate the temptation.

• Be clear about what you want to accomplish with your new habit – Know when, why, and how you will practice your new habit. If you are unsure about any of these details, then it’s likely you won’t follow through or will be easily distracted. 

• Be Consistent – Practice your new habit at the same time every day. Repetition results in healthy habits that stick. 

• It’s ok to mess up, but it’s not ok to give up – When you mess up, give yourself grace and have a plan in place to get back on track. Make this your healthy habit hack mantra: Never miss twice. 

Be watching for the release of my masterclass on facilitating lasting transformation. I’m excited to dive deeper into healthy habits and consistent routines with you. 

If you aren’t already a part of our incredible Facebook community, then come join the party. You will be one of the first to know about all things sweet spot, self-care, and the key to enjoying life more. 

I’ll see you there.