SMALL STEPS
At this time of year we all want to wipe the slate clean and start afresh. Some aim high by signing up for Dry January, a new gym membership and probably the latest diet too. But that’s a mistake. ‘Doing too much, too soon, wears out your willpower muscle and sets us up for failure,’ says behaviour change expert Dr Heather McKee (drheathermckee.co.uk). ‘Habits are a complex mesh of behaviours – and you can’t resolve them all at once. You must work on untangling them one by one until the habit knot is sorted.’ So, begin with the habits that are easiest to change first, as research shows that these smaller, simpler actions become habitual more quickly. ‘Each time you accomplish a micro-change, you get a sense of satisfaction, and this spurs you on to stick with your goals,’ says Dr McKee.
FIX IT
Set yourself one small change each week. For example, plan a healthy snack at 4pm to avoid the biscuit slump, or aim to walk 100 more steps on your fitness tracker each day.
WORK OUT A PLAN
Willpower alone rarely works. Having a plan, however, does. Known as ‘implementation intention’, it helps you anticipate triggers and figure out other ways of dealing with them. If you eat in response to stress, ask, ‘What would be a healthier way to deal with this stress?’
FIX IT Next time you have a run-in with someone, rather than lighting up a cigarette, reaching for a glass of wine or diving head first into the fridge, try taking a few deep breaths, put on some relaxing music or call a friend instead.
ASK WHY?
この記事は WOMAN'S WEEKLY の January 04, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です ? サインイン
この記事は WOMAN'S WEEKLY の January 04, 2022 版に掲載されています。
7 日間の Magzter GOLD 無料トライアルを開始して、何千もの厳選されたプレミアム ストーリー、9,000 以上の雑誌や新聞にアクセスしてください。
すでに購読者です? サインイン
10 OF THE BEST Buys for CHARITY
Look great and support Breast Cancer Awareness Month this October
How to HAGGLE
Save those £££s by plucking up the courage to negotiate
Your wellbeing
LATEST HEALTH SOLUTIONS FOR YOUR MIND AND BODY
Here to help
LET COUNSELLOR KEREN LIGHTEN YOUR LOAD
Good to GLOW
Plant your bulbs now for a lovely bright start to spring
Painted VASES
Prettify empty jars and bottles with this quick craft project
Escape to OXFORD
Delve into the city's rich cultural heritage for a wonderful weekend
Sail through menopause WITHOUT WEIGHT GAIN!
Middle-aged spread may seem inevitable - but it really doesn't have to be
Woodland wonders
When you go down to the woods, you'll find a whole new world teeming with life
'We should all be dancing'
Singer and actor Toyah Willcox on overcoming adversity, ageing and Strictly Come Dancing