Making a change is the easy part, keeping it going? Well…
Winter break is just around the corner and you might be wondering how you’re going to keep going with the positive healthy habits you’ve been working on this semester. Maybe you just got into the swing of things – cooking on your own, managing your time, mindfulness practices, or being more active. Now it’s time to find a new normal for the six weeks between semesters.
For many college students, heading home means reverting back into old habits and patterns that may not align with their health goals. No need to fear, UCAN is here! Here are five tips for maintaining your behavior change when life turns upside down during the holidays:
1. Build your support system
Do you have a friend, family member, or significant other you feel comfortable talking about your goal with? Having someone to talk to and bounce ideas off of is a great way to ensure you stick with your behavior change. That person could encourage you in your change or even join you in it.
If your goal was to maintain your exercise routine over break, recruit an exercise buddy! If you want to keep up with intuitive and mindful eating, tell someone about it and have them help remind you to keep your phone away while eating. Working on moving away from negative body thoughts? Surround yourself with people who don’t talk about weight.
If you feel like you do not have anyone you feel comfortable talking to or asking them to join you in your change, flood your social media with positive people who post about whatever your change may be. There are a ton of accounts out there about exercise, mindful eating, body positivity, and stress management.
Check out these accounts:
@nauhealthcoach (Instagram)
@bodypositivityclub2.0 (Instagram)
@evelyntribole (Instagram)
@nauhikingclub (Instagram)
@living.as.lauren (Instagram)
Support doesn’t just have to be found in solely one person!
2. Remind yourself of the reasons you made the change in the first place
Think about why you wanted to make this change in the first place. Was it to feel more energized, help you get better sleep, improve your overall health, or help you feel less stressed? If you journal regularly, take time to journal about all of the reasons why this change is important to you.
If journaling isn’t your thing, take an expo marker and write down short phrases on your mirror that will remind you why you are making this change, or write them down on sticky notes and place them where you would regularly see them. You could also create a cute background for your phone that has a few words written on it to remind you of those intrinsic motivators.
3. Plan ahead
Now would be a great time to plan ahead on how you will maintain your behavior change over break. You might be going back home and you won’t have good trails to run on, your gym that you go to isn’t in your hometown, or your mom cooks meals that you don’t enjoy.
Start thinking of different ways to overcome those obstacles. Create a schedule for yourself when you are at home. Try working out with your parents, siblings or friends from home. Offer to make dinner or help out with grocery shopping. Get creative with it!
4. Acknowledge the positives
If you do something aligned with your behavior change such as, journaling, completing a workout, going to bed at a certain time, or not eating while watching TV, take a moment to acknowledge how you feel immediately after and hours after that behavior.
Acknowledge the positive side effects that stem from that behavior change such as more energy, less stress, or better body image. This will help remind you why you are doing your behavior change. It helps you to be present and mindful when it comes to your body.
5. Embrace self-compassion
Last, but not least, show yourself kindness and grace. Appreciate yourself and the efforts you make towards being the best version of yourself. If one day goes by and you didn’t execute your behavior change, allow acceptance and compassion to flow through you instead of guilt and shame.
Don’t let a bad day or week make you feel any less; you were enough before ever thinking about a behavior change. Treat your behavior change as self-care and a way to be kind towards yourself.