Why Summer is the Perfect Time for New Habits

I know that summer often feels like that frustrating time when all your routines and schedules go out the window. The kids are home, or grandkids visit, vacations get packed in, and let’s be honest – habits can be hard to hang onto!

But what if I told you summer isn’t the habit-hampering season you think? That in fact, it could be your golden ticket to finally nailing those new habits you’ve been chasing?

I’ve been personally trying this out the past few weeks, and I’ve figured out that while it may seem counterintuitive, summer can actually be an ideal season for establishing new healthy habits. Here’s why:

* The summer mindset is all about renewal and freshness. The warm temperatures and abundant sunshine have an invigorating effect mentally and physically. We tend to crave lighter foods, spend more time outdoors, and have a spring in our step (well, hopefully most days). This vibrant energy is the perfect catalyst for making positive changes.

* Summer’s slower pace also works in your favor. With fewer commitments and a more relaxed schedule, you have the time and mental bandwidth to properly integrate new habits. Starting incremental, sustainable habits is far easier when you’re not rushing from one endless obligation to the next.

* The summer season is also a powerful motivator all on its own. Who doesn’t want to look and feel their best in warm weather and lighter clothing? New fitness routines, healthier eating, hydrating more – these habits seem so much more attractive and worthwhile in the summer.

* Finally, habits started in summer can easily carry into fall. You’ve already done the hard work of installing the new routines and patterns in your brain. By September, those habits will be second nature.

So don’t buy into the idea that summer’s lack of schedule makes it impossible to upgrade your habits. Embrace the mindset, pace, motivation and consistency offered by the season to finally make those positive changes you’ve been waiting for!

Pretty cool how summer could actually be your habit-changing power season, right? That lazy vacay time may be the secret weapon you never expected!

So get started this weekend: commit to just one new habit.

Whether it’s kicking off your day with a green smoothie, journaling your thoughts, squeezing in a morning workout (I’ve been enjoying the 30-day wall Pilates for “mature” ladies), or anything else that fits your vibe, the choice is yours.

Don’t let summer’s schedule shake-ups stop you – reframe this as your habit-building season and watch the magic happen!

You’ve totally got this!

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Happy mid-July!

Can you believe 2021 is more than halfway over?
After 2020’s craziness did you set some new goals and habits in January 2021?

Are you on track with them….or have you fallen behind?

If you’re not where you hoped you’d be by now don’t beat yourself up!

Now is a great time to re-set your goals for the remainder of the year.

Creating new habits isn’t always easy, so here are six simple hacks that will make it a little easier.

1) Schedule It And Put It On The To-Do List

Sometimes we simply forget to do that new thing we were trying. Maybe we forget that we committed to eating more greens by starting each day with a green smoothie. I often make mine the night before and put it in the fridge. It’s not as super fresh, but it’s there waiting for me and makes my mornings so much easier!

With our recent move to DC, I was so excited to purchase a new yoga mat (mine wouldn’t fit in my suitcase, ha!) so that I could do stretches at home in the mornings. But then I found I literally had to write YOGA on my calendar or I’d just jump into my day and forget about my new home-exercise habit!

Schedule your new habits or make them part of your daily to-do list until they become something you do automatically.

2) Make It Public and Be Accountable

Let (supportive) family and friends know what new habits you’re trying to establish. Give them permission to call you out and get you back on track if you don’t stick to your plan.

You may even go as far as sharing it publicly on social media or writing a blog about your new journey. Knowing that others read it and know about it might be just enough to keep you going when you feel like throwing in the towel.

3) Use Habit-Stacking

This means, whenever possible, piggybacking on a habit you already have in place and adding something new to what you’re already doing. It should be anchored to a certain location or time of day.

For example…

every time you use the bathroom, stop by the kitchen for a tall glass of water,
do calf raises or squats while you brush your teeth,
as part of your bedtime routine set out your workout clothes for the next morning,
listen to scriptures or an inspiring podcast while putting on your make up.

You get the idea.

It’s much easier to add your new goal to an existing habit or ritual than creating an entirely new one.

4) Make Slip-ups Costly

Here’s an idea, (but this one’s not mine because I don’t love the idea of punishment, eek!). Some people swear by this, so here goes: Put a jar on the kitchen counter and each time you slip back into your bad habit or forget to stick to the new one, you have to put five dollars in the jar. It will quickly help you remember to skip that sugary food and motivate you to go out for that walk. For extra motivation donate the money to charity at the end of the month or hand it over to your spouse to go spend on him or herself.

5) Get an Accountability Buddy

Examples could be a workout partner or a healthy eating buddy. Keep tabs on each other and encourage each other to keep going. It’s much harder to skip a walk if you know someone else is depending on you being there.

On a recent 26-day detox, my friend Pennie and I used Marco Polo to keep in touch from across the country. We’d both done the detox several times before, but it was really great to discuss recipes, etc., etc., etc. with her. I’ve also done it with a group of friends, and it’s so motivating to be in a group who are all working toward a common healthy goal!

So, share the joy. Find someone with the same or similar goal, or invite them to yours. Help them out as they help you, it’s a win/win!

6) Make It A Group Challenge

Like I mentioned in hack #5, if one accountability partner is good, a whole group is even better. And they don’t even need to be local. Find a supportive group online and challenge each other to stick to your new habit for the next 30 days or so. Not wanting to be the first one to give up will keep all of you going until you establish that new habit.

Give these simple little hacks a try. Keep using the ones that you find helpful until you have made new habits you can stick with, without the help of any tools or support.

Much love,

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