Jan
6
Written by:
Dr. Cherniawski
1/6/2009 5:03 PM
Do you make the same resolution to improve your health every year and, come December, find yourself in the same position as you were 1 year before? While nearly everyone makes a commitment to improve their health in January, few people follow through with the promises they make.
Improving health is ALL about two things: breaking unhealthy habits and developing healthy habits.
The 21 day rule says that it takes 21 days to make (or break) a habit if you do (or don't do) that thing consecutively for 21 days. For example, most people would agree that to benefit from exercise you must exercise 3-5 times a week for 30-60 minutes. But, have you ever started a similar exercise program just to fall off the band wagon several months later? The reason you did not follow through with the regimen is because you never made a habit of exercising. To make a habit of exercising, according to the 21 day rule, you must exercise for 21 consecutive days. Once exercise becomes a habit, it will become something that you'll WANT to do versus something you feel you HAVE to do.
You can apply this rule to any health habit you want to develop this year. Eating vegetables at every meal, drinking the required amount of water every day, taking supplements every morning, exercising, meditating, stretching, improving relationships, you name it, it can happen if you stick with it. You can also apply this rule to any unhealthy habits you want to break this year. Drinking soda or coffee, watching excessive TV, eating junk food, procrastinating on starting projects, you name it, it can happen if you stick with it.
There is, however, one disclaimer. Some habits are VERY stubborn to make or break. Smokers, for example, often quit several times for more than 21 days but still return to the bad habit. This happens because habits vary in complexity. For habits of low to moderate complexity, the 21 day rule works wonders. For habits of high complexity, more than 21 days is required. For example, if you've been a stomach sleeper your whole life and try to sleep on your back or side, you know that it seems impossible to get into the new habit. In this case, persistence is key. You have to keep doing it, everyday. Even habits of high complexity can be eliminated, changed, or developed, most often within 3 months.
I wish you luck in reaching your 2009 health goals and am here to help you! Please call, email, or stop in the office to get started.
1 comment(s) so far...
Re: The 21 Day Rule: Breaking Bad Habits and Making Your New Year's Resolution a Reality
Thank you!- Shannon Hymas Farmers Insurance
By Shannon Hymas on
2/18/2009 6:06 AM
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