When you want to change your life for the better, you might be tempted to just cut something (or someone) out of your life completely. You might be tempted to just start doing the thing you wish you had been doing all along. You might even tell yourself you’re going to pick up that healthy habit even if it kills you.
And in doing so, you ruin any progress you could make before you even get started.
Because when it comes to taking better care of yourself, patience is the key. You need to take your time. You need to focus on progress over results. And you need to give yourself a bit of grace when things aren’t magically different in the span of 24 hours.
The one step at a time approach is what makes your health and wellness goals achievable. Here’s why.
Cold Turkey is Overwhelming
Ever tried to quit a bad habit, whether that’s drinking, smoking, or just cutting down on sugar? Then you’ve probably noticed that when you go cold turkey, and try to remove something from your life in a single moment, you’re more likely to struggle, crave, and be back on it within the week.
These habits took more than a moment to build. They’re going to take more than a moment to break as well.
Cut back on the frequency first. 10 cups of coffee a day? Try to stick to only 9 instead. Then, try to find a healthier substitute. If you’re chain smoking cigarettes, swap them out for the pens available at Forest City Vape and take puffs off of them instead.
And yes, you do need some willpower to cut back on the things that are bad for you. But you don’t need to punish yourself as you do so.
You Only Have So Much Energy
That’s the thing about human beings. Even though we’ve evolved to spend as much time as possible awake, we’re not meant to be active 24/7. And that goes for both your brain and body.
And even if you don’t do too many physical activities, trying to change your life in one day or overnight is simply going to wear you out. You can’t keep up with everything changing all at once.
You need to give yourself time and space to make small changes, get used to those, and then make some more small changes. All of these add up into the big change you’re really going for.
And yes, it does take more time, and you may need to train yourself to be a bit more patient along the way. But it’s important to go slow and stay slow, otherwise you’ll just end up tired and bored.
Taking the one step at a time approach to your health and wellness will help you keep one foot in front of the other. Take your time with lifestyle changes, so you can commit to them, embrace them, and start enjoying them.
