Most wellness goals require a change in habit. 

After all, the reason why you have a wellness goal in the first place is because you are wanting to make an improvement to some aspect of your current healthy living routine. 

If your goal is to eat healthier, you would need to change your current eating habits. 

 If your goal is to be more fit, you would need to change your current workout habits. 

Sounds simple in theory, right?

Yes, but the truth is changing and/or creating new habits is HARD.

It takes time, dedication, and consistency to make a change, and create long-lasting healthy habits. 

In fact, studies show that it takes at least 21 days to form a new habit. 

There are many strategies out there when it comes to forming lasting habits, but today I want to talk about just one of those strategies…your environment.

Did you know that your environment plays a BIG role in your ability to form a new habit?

The human brain’s subconscious power of association can guide – or derail – your goals. 

Your old habits have been repeated consistently in certain contexts and environments.

After all, what’s a movie without popcorn?

Taco Tuesday without margaritas?

Baseball without beer?

In order to break those old habits and achieve your goals, you need to alter those contexts and change aspects of your environment. 

You will need to create new associations that support your new goals.

First you’ll need to identify your goal. 

Then, you’ll need to identify the barriers that are holding you back from achieving that goal, and identify the context in which these barriers occur. 

For instance, if your goal is to eat healthier this year – one barrier that you might identify is your sweet tooth.

In order to cut down on sugary foods, you need to identify when and where you are wanting to indulge in your favorite sugary treats. 

Think about when and where you indulge.  Is it at home after a long day when you are sitting down to watch a TV show? 

If so, you can change your environment to alter that association.  Limit the sweet treats that you have in your home, and substitute the “TV treat” with something else enjoyable AND healthy.

If your Kryptonite is the office break room donuts, set up your environment for success by bringing your own healthy snacks to keep in your desk.  When you have your own snacks to eat it will be easier to say no to the box of donuts when you’re needing an afternoon pick-me-up.  

Ok, here’s another example.

Let’s say your goal is to get more sleep.  

First,  you have to identify the environmental challenges holding you back from getting the sleep you desire. 

Do you like to watch your favorite show in your bed while you’re trying to fall asleep? 

If this is the case, remove the barrier by removing the TV from your room.  

Do you find yourself scrolling through your phone for hours on end while you are trying to wind down for the evening? 

Your next step would be to move your phone across the room so you can’t reach it while in bed, or leave it in another room completely so you don’t have the temptation and to scroll through your phone while you’re laying  in bed. 

Something as simple as making a small tweak to your environment is going to have a big impact on your ability to change your habits and create a new routine to reach your goals.

Habit change is all about creating new associations in your brain, and a good place to start is creating a new environment that will support you achieving your goals.

Change your environment, change your associations, change your habits. 

Do you need help changing your habits to achieve your goals? 

I’ve got a solution for you!  My new 90-day group health coaching program, all about creating SUSTAINABLE health habits, will be starting in January 2021.  Enter your first name and email to the form below to be added to the waitlist, and be the first to know when you can register!