In the pursuit of personal growth and self-improvement, the journey often begins with the desire to cultivate positive habits that stand the test of time. The challenge here lies in sustaining these habits in the long run.
“Forming habits is like planting seeds – they need care, patience, and the right conditions to grow,” says Shreya Gupta, Gurugram-based counselling psychologist. She adds that habits are small building blocks that shape our everyday actions. Whether it is eating healthier, exercising regularly, or practising mindfulness, habits play a big role in our well-being.
Gupta further talks about the hurdles that often get in the way of forming sustainable habits. She says lack of consistency, routine, disruptions, and setting unrealistic goals can lead to frustration and abandoning the habit-forming journey.
“A lack of a supportive environment, including encouragement from friends or family, can contribute to feelings of isolation and hinder progress,” Gupta adds.
Lastly, she says, the failure to acknowledge and learn from setbacks rather than seeing them as inherent to the learning process can also lead to a lack of motivation.
With these obstacles being a common experience for most, Happiest Health explores five ways to overcome these issues and form long-term habits.
While adopting new habits and making them last comes with various challenges, starting small and maintaining consistency is important. Embracing setbacks as learning opportunities, integrating these approaches into daily life, and cherishing progress are also essential aspects of the habit-forming journey. Whether adopting healthier lifestyle choices, enhancing productivity, or cultivating mindfulness, patience, and genuine commitment to the process are essential.
