As much as you might like the idea and really need and want to do it, the fact is that sometimes sticking to your health and wellness goals can feel like a massive challenge – life gets in the way, motivation dips, and before you know it, the goals you’re trying to reach are further away than ever.
The good news is that this is entirely natural, and you definitely won’t be the only one, and even better is the fact that there are some great ways to stay on track even when things get tricky. With that in mind, keep reading to find out more about how to stay focused on your health and wellness goals.
Start Small
It’s easy to make staying focused on your health and wellness goals much harder than it needs to be because you’re trying to do everything at once – remember, though, you really don’t have to conquer everything you want to do in just one day, and it’s far better to start with small, manageable goals instead. You might take a 10-minute walk at lunchtime rather than sitting at your desk and scrolling through social media, or perhaps you want to swap fizzy pop for water, for example.
Whatever you do, these small steps are important, and when you focus on them you’ll build plenty of momentum and before you know it, the bigger goals won’t be so tricky to achieve after all. Plus, don’t forget to reward yourself (in a healthy way!) when you do achieve something because positive reinforcement can be hugely helpful when it comes to motivation and pushing forward.
Find Your People
Having people around you who support your goals and who are there for you can make a world of difference, and it’s the same no matter what your goals happen to be. A workout buddy is just as important as a supportive online community, and that’s just as important as a group of real life friends who are there to cheer you on (even if they’ve not been through exactly the same things as you have). They’ll be there to talk to about your goals, share your worries or successes with, and they’ll keep you motivated to keep going even when you don’t feel like it.
Finding your people is especially important if you’re working on something like recovery – people who’ve gone through IOP addiction treatment, for example, know exactly how important it is to stay focused on long-term wellness and the goals that go with it. Surrounding yourself with these people – the ones who get it – will really help you stay on track.
Use Visual Reminders
Are you the kind of person who thinks out of sight, out of mind? It happens a lot, but if you want to avoid it, keep your wellness goals where you can see them. You could create a vision board, use sticky notes on your mirror or fridge, or set daily reminders on your phone, for example, and then when you see your goals, they’ll be fresh in your mind and you’ll be more likely to do them.
It’s quite amazing how much difference just a little reminder can make, and soon your steps to reach your goals will become habits and you won’t need your reminders anymore.
