When we start a health journey, willpower usually helps us get started. But here is the thing: willpower is a finite resource. It’s like a battery that drains throughout the day. If you spend your morning fighting a stressful commute and your afternoon dealing with a demanding boss, by the time you walk through your front door, your “willpower battery” is likely running on empty.
And that is where most of us trip. When you’re exhausted and stressed, you probably aren’t making conscious decisions anymore and instead reacting to your environment. If there is a bowl of candy on the counter, you’re probably going to eat it. Not because you’re lacking something, but because your brain is looking for the path of least resistance.
This is why it is so important to create a microenvironment of health in our own homes.
Optimizing your surroundings
So, how do we create a microenvironment of health? It starts with small changes. It’s important to ask yourself, how do the people you surround yourself with, the places you live and work in, and the things that you are exposed to affect your daily behavior?
When you identify those triggers, you can start designing a space that supports your Habits of Health. Here are some simple ways to begin:
- Join a group fitness group, exercise with a friend or walk your dog with a neighbor. Who you surround yourself with and how their actions and habits affect your habits can have a big impact on how we eat, move, sleep and spend our free time.
- We often mistake thirst for hunger. Place a large pitcher of water with fresh lemon or mint right on the kitchen island, or keep your favourite water bottle at your desk. If it’s in your line of sight, you’ll be more likely to drink it without having to think about it.
- Convenience often wins. Bring a list to the grocery store and stick to it. Leave unnecessary foods on the shelves, and try to avoid the impulse items! Also, spend a few minutes prepping raw vegetables — carrots, cucumbers, bell peppers (depending on your stage of the plan) — and keep them in clear containers at eye level in the fridge. This way, when hunger hits, the healthiest option is already the most convenient one.
- Don’t let the “setup” be the reason you skip a workout. Lay your exercise clothes and sneakers out the night before. When you see them first thing in the morning, it removes the mental hurdle of getting started.
- Prepare for sleep. Decrease noise, adjust lighting and temperature in your bedroom to improve your relaxation and sleep. Removing the phone and TV from your immediate bedside can also help by preventing late-night scrolling and helps your brain switch into “recovery mode” faster.
- Identify your Kryptonite — things that can slow you down or throw you off. Make a conscious decision to eliminate them. At the same time, set yourself up for success by removing the obstacles. For example, wear or bring comfortable shoes to work so you are more likely to go for a walk during lunch.
It’s all about removing the friction from your healthy habits and adding it to the ones that hold you back.
If you’ve found ways to make healthy habits easier in your home, share them with us in our Facebook community! I’d love to hear how you’re designing your space for success.