How long does it really take for something to become a habit? Some people say 21 days, some say 28, some say even longer. Talk about confusing. Perhaps it might be easier to go for the middle and hope for the best. Without becoming too technical, I’ll just dare to put my spin on it here. It takes conscious effort and first off the decision and willingness to make a change. Then you put a plan into action and you just do it. As simple as that - JUST DO IT! and step by step, day by day until your conscious effort becomes ingrained in your psyche and viola! you have changed your brain and formed a new habit in your life. The first few days whilst the action is still in your conscious mind, where you are thinking about it, it may feel like an effort. Yet there comes a turning point when it goes into your subconscious and before you know it, you become almost obsessed with it. You will go to every effort not to miss out on doing it. This goes for good and bad habitual activities.
I have 2 good examples about habits in my own life. One is meditating very early in the morning. Up until now I have diligently claimed that I am not a morning person and that I am more of a night owl. As I am writing this now, most people would be in bed fast asleep. I have been on a mission to deepen my meditation practice for the last few months. Over the years I have practised it on and off but now I really want to embrace it on a daily basis. As you may know, there are many scientifically proven health benefits.
As a healthy lifestyle is important to me, practising mindfulness and meditation is a no-brainer for me. I also know from experience that if I don’t do it first thing in the morning, I don’t meditate at all because I don’t get a chance during the day. Late night is also not an option because it is way too late and I fall asleep over it.
So when I mentioned to my meditation teacher how frustrated I was with this inconsistent practise and she told me to get up earlier and do it each morning for 20 minutes, I just looked at her dumbfounded. ‘But I go to bed too late…’ I muttered. ‘Then go to bed earlier, get enough rest. Get up earlier and’ wait for it ‘JUST DO IT! it’s easy - 20 minutes every morning and after a few weeks you will notice the difference.’ Hmmm I had been told! So. I went to bed a little bit (not much) earlier that very night and set my alarm for earlier the next morning. I woke up and forced myself to get up instead of pressing the snooze button multiple times (I may have pressed it just once!). Day 1 - great. Day 2 - better. Day 3 - even better ….. Day 14! Each day (even on the weekends) I got up and meditated after a few minutes of yoga, first for 20 minutes and now up to 30 minutes. I must say I feel much better and actually do not want to miss it. If the timeframe for forming a new habit (21 - 28 days +) has any truth in it, I am well on my way to making meditation an integral part of my life. A true ‘pat myself on the back’ moment, I’d say. Now today I actually meditated twice - this morning and also at the meditation class this evening. So maybe I can skip tomorrow morning?! No, I will still do it! Do you practice mindfulness/meditate or sit quietly every day? Try it if you don’t.
I mentioned 2 examples - I don’t want to keep you, I know you’re busy. So all I’ll say is ‘water’ - you’ll have to wait to read next week’s newsletter!
Let me know how you’ve gone with forming a new habit or getting rid of an unwanted one.
I have 2 good examples about habits in my own life. One is meditating very early in the morning. Up until now I have diligently claimed that I am not a morning person and that I am more of a night owl. As I am writing this now, most people would be in bed fast asleep. I have been on a mission to deepen my meditation practice for the last few months. Over the years I have practised it on and off but now I really want to embrace it on a daily basis. As you may know, there are many scientifically proven health benefits.
As a healthy lifestyle is important to me, practising mindfulness and meditation is a no-brainer for me. I also know from experience that if I don’t do it first thing in the morning, I don’t meditate at all because I don’t get a chance during the day. Late night is also not an option because it is way too late and I fall asleep over it.
So when I mentioned to my meditation teacher how frustrated I was with this inconsistent practise and she told me to get up earlier and do it each morning for 20 minutes, I just looked at her dumbfounded. ‘But I go to bed too late…’ I muttered. ‘Then go to bed earlier, get enough rest. Get up earlier and’ wait for it ‘JUST DO IT! it’s easy - 20 minutes every morning and after a few weeks you will notice the difference.’ Hmmm I had been told! So. I went to bed a little bit (not much) earlier that very night and set my alarm for earlier the next morning. I woke up and forced myself to get up instead of pressing the snooze button multiple times (I may have pressed it just once!). Day 1 - great. Day 2 - better. Day 3 - even better ….. Day 14! Each day (even on the weekends) I got up and meditated after a few minutes of yoga, first for 20 minutes and now up to 30 minutes. I must say I feel much better and actually do not want to miss it. If the timeframe for forming a new habit (21 - 28 days +) has any truth in it, I am well on my way to making meditation an integral part of my life. A true ‘pat myself on the back’ moment, I’d say. Now today I actually meditated twice - this morning and also at the meditation class this evening. So maybe I can skip tomorrow morning?! No, I will still do it! Do you practice mindfulness/meditate or sit quietly every day? Try it if you don’t.
I mentioned 2 examples - I don’t want to keep you, I know you’re busy. So all I’ll say is ‘water’ - you’ll have to wait to read next week’s newsletter!
Let me know how you’ve gone with forming a new habit or getting rid of an unwanted one.
RSS Feed