There is a door at work which keeps sticking open, letting all the cold air in. It needs to be shut manually at present whilst it gets fixed. As it is a well used door and was on a spring, you open it, walk through it and then it magically shuts behind you. However, as the spring isn’t working it stays open most of the time until someone manually closes it.
When you get used to not doing something, i.e. closing a door and then you are expected to actually close the door, you don’t do it, not because you don’t want too but because it’s a new task, easy to forget and it isn’t an automatic reaction. No habit has been formed.
If you apply this to your everyday life, then think of the things you are not doing but want to be or ought to be. A great example would be if you aren’t used to exercising or eating healthily. You need to start somewhere. So instead of jumping in and turning your life around over night and trying to change everything, which seems so impossible and challenging, that hiding under your duvet is by far the easiest option.
Plan it so over the course of say 4-6 weeks, you ease yourself into it and start small and work up to it. You want to create a habit so it doesn’t feel so mountainous.
Let’s look at your health plan – so you want to start exercising more. If you have never done so before, then check in first of all with your doctor to ensure all is ok for you to go ahead.
Once you have been given the green light you are ready to start exercising. Where on earth do you start you might be wondering. Lets start simple and go for a walk. Aim for 10 minutes twice a week for the first week, increase this to 20 minutes the following week and then increase to 3 times the following week and 4 the next, and see how you go, you might be ready to take it further and walk for 30 or 40 minutes 4 times a week.
But there is no right or wrong, go at your own pace, you may wish to stick to 10 minutes for 4 weeks until you feel comfortable walking further. Do what feels right to you. Then when you find a time and occurrence that works for you keep going. There is no pressure to walk 7 days a week for 30 minutes, unless you really want too.
Walking is the simplest form of exercise, if you are no stranger to exercise, you may wish to do something else, like work out at the gym or play a team sport. Whatever you want to do, just start small. Take the pressure off trying to be the best or an expert within the first few weeks of starting. Ease in and create the habit.
If you are a morning person, then do your exercise first thing or go after work if you have the energy later in the day. Tie your exercise to the time of day when your are more likely to do it. For example if you get an hour for lunch – what could you do in that time? Is there a gym near work where you could fit in a 30-45 minute workout or an exercise class? Are there any places to go for a walk? If you work from home, perfect! This gives you more freedom for a home workout. What about yoga? Or an online Zumba class? There are so many exercise videos available online you will never run out.
We often get sucked into doing things because a friend or partner loves it. So we think we should give it a go just because it is good for us and we know it will help us to lead a healthy life, however, you are less likely to stick at something if you don’t have the desire to do it or the enjoyment of it to keep going. Pick something you enjoy and if no one wants to do it with you, not to worry, it can be your time on your own or if you go to a class you will soon meet others who love it too.
Exercise can feel like a drag when you start, but once you get moving, find something you love and see the benefits for yourself, it becomes easier to keep going and create the habit.
Thank you for reading. Happy exercising and look after you!
Love Emma xx
Wellbeing with Relaxing Lavender 