HOW TO CATCH A HABIT
Habit formation is the process by which a behavior, through regular repetition, becomes habitual. Every habit has three components:
(1) A trigger for an automatic behavior to start.
(2) A routine, the behavior itself.
3) A reward how our, brain learns to remember this pattern for the future.
The worse habit many have as we age is being sedentary. Sedentary is defined as a period of inactivity for more than two hours at a time. According to the Harvard School of Public Health, older adults spend nearly two-thirds of their awake time—nearly ten hours—sitting.
7 Steps to a new habit Just Move!
- Make a decision. Decide that you’re going to begin acting in a specific way 100 percent of the time. I will increase my movement through the day.”
- Never allow an exception. Set an alarm is necessary to move for 10-15 minutes.
- Gather support from others, call a friend or neighbor to join in a neighborhood walk.
- Visualize yourself, being able to increase a little every day.
- Create an affirmation. “I am no longer sedentary”.
- Resolve to persist, just DO even if, just ‘cuz!
- Reward yourself, treat yourself to a device to show yourself how much more you move.
Do a “life check “and get a MOVING habit, stick with it to create the habit and reap the rewards of a healthier you.