Why Healthy Habits Often Fail

Yes, we all have been there. New year, new you, a renewed motivation to change our lifestyle. We picture ourselves eating more salads, getting out of bed for morning runs and meditating our way to inner peace.

However, weeks and days later, those well-intentioned resolutions fail, and we find ourselves back where we started. Why are healthy habits so hard to form? The fact is that how we often approach habit formation sets us up for failure right from the start.

The All-or-Nothing Trap

One common pitfall is aiming for drastic, sweeping changes all at once. We decide to completely change our diet, exercise routine, and sleep schedule. This all-or-nothing approach overwhelms our brains, which are wired for efficiency and resist sudden interruptions of routines.

Imagine learning a new language and trying to be fluent in a week. The sheer amount of information and practice would be overwhelming and likely cause frustration and abandonment. Similarly, dramatically altering many aspects of our lives at once creates unnecessary pressure and can not be sustained over time.

Focus on the Destination, Not the Journey

Another obstacle is focusing on the end goal without considering the process. We fixate on the image of a toned physique or a lower number on the scale, but we neglect to break down the journey into manageable steps. This disconnects our aspirations from the daily actions that are needed to achieve them.

The small, consistent actions that eventually result in the desired outcome have to be given priority over the outcome itself.

The Power of Temptations

Moreover, we underestimate our environment. We might diligently plan our healthy meals but then surround ourselves with readily available junk food. We might intend to exercise regularly but fail to create a dedicated space or time for it. Our surroundings have a strong influence on our behaviors, often unconsciously.

If we don’t actively shape our environment to support our desired habits, we’re constantly battling external cues that activate old, less healthy habits. The environment causes it to be impossible to resist the temptation.

Motivation, Motivation, Motivation!

Lack of intrinsic motivation is another major cause of habit failure. We often take on habits because we feel we should and not because we wish to do so. We might change a bad habit because we know it’s good for us, but motivation will quickly fade away if we can’t find something we enjoy.

External pressures, such as societal expectations or pressure from others, may provide initial momentum but are rarely sufficient to sustain sustained behavior change. Lasting habits have internal drivers, such as a genuine desire to improve our health and well-being or experience the joy of movement.

Embracing Setbacks as Part of the Process

Finally, we often do not account for setbacks and challenges. We start our habit-building journey with an idealized vision of steady progress, but life will throw you curveballs. We may get sick, have a stressful period at work, or have unexpected personal situations.

When these disruptions occur, we may lose momentum, become discouraged, and abandon our efforts. However, setbacks happen and are not necessarily a sign of defeat. Rather than viewing them as reasons to give up, they could be opportunities to learn and adjust our approach.

Building healthy habits does not happen overnight. It’s about small, sustainable changes that we all gradually adopt into our lives. It involves a mindset shift – from expectation of progress to acceptance of setbacks as lessons. Identifying the traps of habit formation may help us become more realistic and effective in making lasting positive changes in our lives.