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H is for Habit
Habits, we all have them. Habits are simply routine behaviours that have become so automatic that you do them with little or no conscious thought.
It takes relatively little effort for you to do something that has become a habit. It fits easily into your day; it can be carried out without much difficulty and does not require you to alter your daily routine to perform it.
Conversely, doing something that is not a habit is relatively more difficult. You must consciously plan for it, make arrangements to accommodate for the other activities you normally do, and generally takes a special effort to do on a regular basis.
Of course there are both good and bad habits. The good habits are the ones you would like to start, or maintain. Physical activity or exercise is one of the best habits you can establish. The paybacks in terms of health and well-being are immense.
There are ways to help establish the physical activity or exercise habit. To begin, it takes time to form a habit. Keep at it, knowing the more consistent you are in the beginning, the more fixed your new routine will become.
Build activity into your day, reserving a time for exercise or walking and don’t let anything interfere. If you don’t reserve a time, you can be sure that you will not find the time.
Be patient with yourself. When you can’t be active for a while because of illness, injury, or demands on your time, back off without guilt. A brief period of not reduced activity is not a disaster.
Plan ahead. Be prepared to be active. It decreases the inertia of getting moving when demands arise. If you intend to walk when you get home from work, for example, change immediately into your walking shoes and clothing.
Above all make yourself a priority. A small block of time each day devoted to your own health and well-being will offer huge pay backs to all those around you.
Written by Professor Kerry Mummery
College of Human and Health Services
CQUniversity
