Maintaining Healthy Habits-In Five Simple Steps

By Elizabeth Scott, M.S., About.com Guide

Updated September 28, 2012

About.com Health's Disease and Condition content is reviewed by the Medical Review Board

Many people have excess stress that affects their health, happiness, and other areas of their lives. (In fact, it’s been estimated that more than 90% of health problems that bring people into the doctor’s office are stress-related!) But while virtually all of us could benefit from adding healthy habits to our lifestyle, it’s harder to begin a new habit than it seems, especially when you’re already overscheduled and overstressed! The following steps can help you navigate a clear path from your good intentions to the reality of a healthier, happier lifestyle that includes less stress. Ready? Here we go!

Step One: Choose Your Activity Wisely:
The first step in creating a healthy new habit that will be a long-term staple in your lifestyle is to choose an activity that fits well with who you are and how you live. If you don’t, you may find that you’re working against personality and lifestyle factors that are two ingrained to change, and your new healthy habit never quite takes root. When choosing a new practice, keep in mind factors like your strengths, your schedule and lifestyle, and the complexity of the new habit, as well as your current stress level and time available, and find an activity that fits well with all of these variables. For a more in-depth look at these factors, take The Stress Reliever Personality Test, which will assess which stress relievers would work best for your lifestyle and personality, and provide you with a list.

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• Step One: Choose Wisely
• Step Two: Build The New Habit into Your Schedule
• Step Three: Enlist Support
• Step Four: Use Goals and Rewards
• Step Five: Check In With Yourself to Be Sure You're On The Right Track

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