May 16, 2024
In need of a healthier lifestyle? Think holistically. It all starts with creating the right habits for you. Read more.
Having healthy habits isn’t only about exercising and eating well. It’s also about working on your mental and financial health and thinking holistically. All three aspects are much more connected than you may think.
The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada says worries about money are the number one source of stress for Canadians, higher than stress from work, relationships or even personal health. The agency says that 48% of Canadians have lost sleep because of financial worries. BDO’s own latest Affordability Index also found that 46% of Canadians are concerned about their current debt situation.
Worries from money issues can cause people to have a variety of physical health problems. These include high blood pressure, headaches, anxiety and depression.
Establishing healthy habits in your routine can help improve all three of these pillars of health in a balanced and sustainable way. Here are some strategies we’ve found to help you get motivated and establish habits that work best for you.
It may sound trite, but it’s true. You can’t compare yourself to other people and expect to make progress. Sure, it’s hard to not look at other people and feel like you’re missing out or even jealous, but it’s important to remember that everyone’s circumstances are different. You can't compare apples and oranges.
A better habit for your mental health is to avoid comparing yourself to other people and train yourself to measure how far you’ve come. Compare yourself to yourself and only yourself. This way you can see where you were three months ago, six months ago or even a year ago and appreciate the progress you have made.
Focus on your own story and personal journey. You may not be where you want to be at this point but you’re working on getting there.
It’s all about prioritization, what you want, not what other people expect of you.
Identify the things that matter to you the most. Think about what you want to do, both short and long term. Keep track of your goals and write them down. What steps do you need to take to get there? Start small and think incrementally. Progress happens one step at a time, not all at once.
It’s a good idea not to overdo it.
You can lower the toll on your mental health by limiting the things on your to-do list. Stick to something you know you can achieve and add a new habit after you feel it has become as routine as brushing your teeth.
When it comes to establishing new habits and achieving your goals, having an accountability partner can significantly increase your chances of success. Whether it's a close friend, family member, or colleague, having someone to share your progress with can provide valuable support and motivation along the way.
Accountability partners can help by checking in regularly, offering encouragement, and holding you to your commitments.
When choosing an accountability partner, look for someone who shares similar goals or values and is committed to supporting your journey. Consider setting up regular check-ins, whether it's a weekly phone call, a monthly meeting, or daily texts, to keep each other accountable and track progress.
Implementing a reward system can serve as a powerful tool to reinforce positive habits and keep you motivated on your journey toward better health and financial well-being. Consider setting up a system where you reward yourself for achieving milestones or sticking to your habits consistently. These rewards don't have to be extravagant; they can be as simple as treating yourself to a favourite meal, indulging in a relaxing activity, or setting aside time for self-care.
Obviously, if your goal is to spend less money on junk food, your reward should not allow you to buy junk food. Your reward should be something you enjoy, but not be contrary to the habit you are trying to create.
Adopting a habit that improves multiple aspects of your life can be very powerful and motivating.
Your budget and your diet go hand in hand, and food preparation is a great place to start making improvements. It can be as simple as deciding that for one night a week you eat healthier and save money by preparing a vegetarian meal.
Budgeting may seem like a painful process, at first, but once you get started, it can make you feel more secure and in control. Going through your online purchases for a month and adding them up is a good place to start. You’ll see if you’re spending too much or within your means.
It’s also important to make sure your goals are reasonable and specific. You’ll be less likely to quit if you can actually see yourself achieving them. Ask yourself how long it will take you to achieve a goal. You want to set habits that are reachable in a realistic time frame.
A reasonable goal may be to pay off all one of your credit cards by this time next year or run five kilometers in the next six months. Being specific with your goal setting and giving yourself a timeline is key.
This is the most difficult part of making any lifestyle change: starting. It’s easier to say ‘I’ll do that tomorrow, next week, next month instead of beginning to make changes now.
Sometimes it’s best to start with something small and easily achievable first. This way you’ll get an automatic mental health boost knowing you’ve made progress almost right away.
You can also simply work on replacing one habit with another without changing much in your routine.
According to experts, the most important thing is repetition. It takes, on average, 66 days for a new behaviour to become automatic.
Let’s say instead of driving to work you decide to bike when the weather permits, saving money on gas and getting exercise as a bonus. You’ll have to train yourself to get into the habit, and it may take for 1-2 months’ worth of effort.
It’s also a good idea to quickly eliminate bad habits too. Avoiding opening your bills, not checking your bank balance regularly or ordering take out when you know you can’t actually afford it aren’t good ideas.
It’s not just about starting new habits, but eliminating bad ones too.
These are easy ways for you to slightly alter your routine that can have a big impact on both your health and wallet.
Taking time to reflect on your habits and goals is crucial for staying on track and making meaningful progress. Regularly assess what's working well and what areas may need adjustment or improvement. Reflecting allows you to celebrate your successes, learn from your experiences, and identify any obstacles or challenges that may be hindering your progress.
Be open to adjusting your approach as needed, whether it's modifying your habits, setting new goals, or seeking additional support. Flexibility and adaptability are key components of successful habit formation, so don't be afraid to pivot or try new strategies if something isn't working.
Remember that self-awareness and reflection are powerful tools for personal growth, and embracing a mindset of continuous improvement can help you stay motivated and committed to your journey of self-improvement.
Life is full of surprises and the unexpected is bound to happen. It takes time to adjust to doing something new on a regular basis. You will probably forget here and there, especially at the beginning. Setting reminder alarms on your phone might be a way of helping you ensure you set time aside for whatever new habit you’re trying to adopt, but give yourself some grace.
As long as your new habits are working themselves into your routine, that’s a good sign. Yes, you will forget once and a while. When that happens, you need to simply accept the slip up. Remembering that you’ve forgotten to do it is better than not remembering it at all.
May 16, 2024
In need of a healthier lifestyle? Think holistically. It all starts with creating the right habits for you. Read more.
