Choose Healthy Habits That You Enjoy

So how do we know if a behavior is sustainable? The sustainability of a behavior depends on how much time and effort it requires and whether we are willing to commit to it day after day. Thus, habits that require the least time and effort might be easier to incorporate into our daily lives. Yet, there is another secret ingredient to make habits stick: likability. As discussed earlier, many people find detrimental behaviors hard to shed because they feel good. It becomes even more challenging if we attempt to replace them with habits that we don’t enjoy at all. Therefore, if we want our habits to last a long time, we might pick those we like and enjoy doing.

Examples of Healthy Habits
For instance, at this stage of my career, I ‌spend most of my day sitting on my office chair. Hence, about five years ago, I decided to increase my physical activity level. Some of my close friends regularly work out at a gym, and I followed suit. Unfortunately, I felt awkward every time I stepped into the weight room and tried to figure out how to use any of the machines. Similarly, running on a treadmill made my legs feel like noodles and left my head spinning every time I stepped down. Using an elliptical or riding a stationary bike wasn’t exciting, either.

​So, I decided to try something I’d enjoy. Remembering that I used to love hiking while in college, I started walking on nearby trails. Soon afterward, I adopted my dog from a shelter, and the two of us have been walking or running three to four miles most days for the past four years, rain or shine. What transformed my walks into a lifestyle habit? Enjoying fresh air and the company of my canine friend.