April is a great month for spring cleaning. Are you ready???
Spring cleaning is more than Marie Kondo-ing your home or work space. It is an opportunity to tidy up your mindset and to replace old habits for the ones that will support your goals.
Tidying up your mindset is a lot like cleaning out your drawers and closets. You need to hold up each habit, like a piece of clothing, and consider if wearing it still fits who you want to be or, is it time to let go? The better your habits fit the life you want the more joy they will bring.
Once you identify the habits to throw out and the ones to replace them with, decide what you can do each day for the next 30 days to make the switch. Consistent action is the best way to make change last.
Here are a tips on how to change your habits:
a) Exercise: the best way to fit exercise into your week is to schedule it. Write on your calendar the 2 days you will dedicate to strength training and the 2 days you will engage in activities that will improve your cardiovascular system. Easy ways to get moving are: take a 30 minute power walk after lunch or dinner, go for a bicycle ride, take a tennis lesson, or take the stairs instead of the walking path in the park.
b) Nutrition: the best way to eat right is to plan ahead of time. Decide what meals will help you reach your goal, make a shopping list of the ingredients you will need to cook these meals, then head to the store and only buy what’s on the list. If you know you will be eating out, decide ahead of time what to order. Always carry a healthy snack with you.
c) Lifestyle: your life is only as great as the habits you keep so make sure they are supporting the life you want to live. Habits that support you include reading positive books and articles instead of wasting time scrolling through social media memes, taking a class to learn or improve your skills, taking time to de-stress, making time to socialize and have fun.
