Health and Wellbeing for most of us is not either routine or habit. The formation of a habit is something that is done automatically, and it is said that each day is made up of at least 40% habit. Routine is something that we do on a regular basis but not necessarily done out of habit, like cooking a meal or washing the dishes, these are routine actions.

What causes habit?

Did you know that over 60,000 thoughts a day are subconscious and that 40% of our daily life is full of habit.

Habits are built through learning and repetition. A person is thought to develop a habit while pursuing goals by beginning to associate certain actions with behavioural responses that help meet the goals. Over time, thoughts of the behaviour and ultimately the behaviour itself are likely to be triggered by these actions.

One likely reason people are creatures of habit is that habits are efficient. People can perform useful behaviours without wasting time and energy deliberating about what to do.

How to form healthy habits:

Forming healthy habits can be exceedingly difficult especially within the busy lives we lead. So, it is not all about more willpower to create habits but more of what you do every day to create them. This is the way that the mind naturally works to code a new behaviour pattern without you knowing it.

Create that habit:

1. Shape your surroundings- for example having healthy meals you have already prepared will help you eat better throughout the week and allows the new habit to form rather than returning to old ones of just eating anything that is available.

2. Repeat, repeat, repeat – an action that increases its adherence and an action that allows the habit to build if you are consistent. It is not enough to do it a few times, but evidence shows that often it may take six months to build a habit. This is where goals alongside habits can mean that over time, that the habit has a greater chance of becoming rewarding.

Building new habits.

Old habits can be difficult to shake, and healthy habits are often harder to develop than one would like. But through repetition, it is possible to form—and maintain—new habits.

Even long-time habits that are detrimental to one’s health and well-being can be broken with enough determination and a smart approach. Often the formation of new habits around our health can take more effort and concentration over a longer period of time.

It is the incentive and rewards of new habits that will allows us to focus on what new habits bring.

New habits can

· Create success

· Override old habits.

· Keystone habits can lead to others and great success

· Motivation

· Personal development

· Build confidence, self-esteem, and self-worth.

· Enables YOU to achieve and be responsible, this increases performance.

· Allows personal growth and development

· Creates a positive outcome for body and mind

· Enhance the power of new habits and become more productive.