Let's Make Old Habits Die Hard

As we close in on 2020, let's make old habits die hard. 

The abrupt change in lifestyle due to the pandemic triggered a lot of bad habits. Let's rewind for a moment. In March, businesses and schools closed almost overnight. People hunkered down at home, some afraid we would be shut off from the outside world for weeks at a time. Others thinking we had an impromptu vacation, assuming the world would return to normal in six weeks or less. And people in between navigated the media for the most reliable public health information to keep their loved ones healthy and safe. 

Day-to-day life looked very different almost immediately. Outside of healthcare workers and public safety personnel, most people learned how to work from home, some while simultaneously teaching their children. Time became fluid, and all routines went out the window. Through my work with clients I noticed three common lifestyle changes:

1. Sleep/wake cycles went out the window. 

2. All day access to kitchens perpetuated all day grazing, driving waist sizes up. 

3. Binge-watching TV kept people from moving during the day. With gyms closed, this meant even more sedentation. 

Why is this important to point out?

As human beings, we thrive on structure and routine. The reptilian part of our brain craves predictability. So as the quarantine lifestyle continued on, staying up all hours of the night and sleeping later into the day, constant snacking and laying around became bad habits that then developed into new routines. 

Where does that leave us now?

Quarantine exhaustion isn't just about missing fun excursions and enjoying the company of our loved ones, we are tired of waiting for relief. I hear people complain about wanting things go back to normal, and through further exploration what they are asking for is their pre-covid lifestyle. 

Let's pause for a moment, and reassess though, since we are still unclear how much longer quarantine will linger on. How different would you feel if you were to reinstate a regular bedtime and wake time?Executing an evening routine to settle into bed after a warm bath or shower, enjoy a cup of sleepy time tea, and make sure to have an alarm set with enough time to get yourself up and ready as if you are commuting into the office for work even if you aren't. Consider what you were doing during your morning routine prior to quarantine. What needs to be added back into your routine? Even with gyms and workout facilities closed, how could you spend at least thirty minutes each morning to make sure your body moves? Have you tapped into the endless, free workout videos on YouTube? What about getting outside for a brisk walk? Would it be helpful to meal prep and pack a breakfast, lunch and a couple of snacks like you would if you were going into the office? Consider expanding recipes based with vegetables to boost your fiber; soups are a warm and filling way to add more vegetables to your diet. Brush your teeth immediately after finishing the dinner meal to prevent looking for that "little something" in the late evening hours. 

You see, making just a couple of subtle changes is really all we need. Instead of focusing on ALL of the things you would like to go back to normal, consider a couple of simple changes that are within your control. Small changes to form into healthier habits, and then allow the momentum to propel you forward. No reason to wait for the new year. You deserve to feel better today!