How to Keep Good Habits Going for Life
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Introduction
Making healthy changes—like eating better, exercising, or quitting smoking—is something many of us try. But sticking with these changes over time is the real challenge. Many people manage to start strong but later slip back into old habits. Why does that happen? And how can we make healthy habits last? Let’s explore some simple reasons and solutions based on what experts have found.
Why It’s Hard to Stick with New Habits
Changing a behavior is one thing—maintaining it is another. At the beginning, motivation is high. You might feel excited and determined. But over time, life gets busy, motivation fades, and the old habits slowly return. Experts have studied why this happens and found five key things that can help us keep up the new behavior.
1. Motivation That Lasts
Motivation is a big reason we start a new habit—but it has to last. In the beginning, we often change because of a health scare or a goal. But long-term success usually happens when we start to enjoy the new habit or when it becomes part of our identity. For example, when someone starts enjoying their daily walk or begins to see themselves as a “healthy person,” they’re more likely to keep it up.
2. Building Self-Control
Self-control, or self-regulation, helps us stick to a plan even when we’re tempted. It’s like a muscle—the more you use it, the stronger it gets, but it can also get tired. That’s why it helps to have simple routines, plan ahead for challenges, and reward small wins. Being kind to yourself after a slip-up also matters; one mistake doesn’t mean failure.
3. Make It a Habit
When a new behavior becomes a habit, you do it without thinking—like brushing your teeth. This is powerful because you don’t have to rely on motivation. Repeating the same behavior in the same situation helps your brain form strong habit loops. For example, going for a short walk right after dinner every day helps turn walking into an automatic part of your routine.
4. Use Your Resources Wisely
Keeping a new habit going takes energy—both mental and physical. Stress, tiredness, or being busy can make it hard to stay on track. That’s why it's important to take care of your sleep, manage stress, and not overdo it. Making one or two small changes at a time is usually better than trying to change everything all at once.
5. Supportive Environments and People
Your surroundings and the people around you matter. A home or workplace that supports your new habit makes it easier to stick with. Encouragement from friends, family, or support groups can make a big difference. Even changing your environment—like keeping junk food out of sight or setting reminders—can help.
Conclusion
Maintaining a new habit isn’t just about willpower. It’s about understanding what keeps us going and setting ourselves up for success. By focusing on lasting motivation, building routines, using our energy wisely, and creating supportive spaces, we can turn short-term changes into lifelong habits. It’s not always easy, but with the right tools, it’s definitely possible.