Drink more water.

Exercise every day.

Get eight hours of sleep.

In the constant pursuit of wellness, we often find ourselves facing a paradox: we are fully aware of the healthy choices we should make in life, and yet, actually making them consistently can be quite a challenge.

This struggle is not uncommon; making the less healthy choice is easier and more comfortable. It is easier to eat a slice of chocolate cake than a more nutritious alternative. It is more comfortable to sleep in rather than wake up early every day and hit the gym. These choices need effort as they do not come naturally to many of us.

Here are some things that might help along this journey:

• Motivation: Take a moment to reflect on why making a particular healthy choice is important to you. Whether it is to feel more energetic, improve your overall health, or set a positive example for loved ones, clarifying your motivations can provide a powerful driving force.
• Making choices we can live with: Break down your health goals into smaller, achievable steps. Setting realistic health goals is the best way to ensure sustainable progress, build confidence, and establish long-term lifestyle changes. Rather than having two ‘perfect’ days of early to bed and early to rise, for example, and then sleeping at 3AM on a Friday night, it tends to be more sustainable when we pick one change (half an hour earlier to bed) and slowly make that a part of our lifestyle. Click here to read about SMART goals and how they can help you.
• Consistency: Consistency is the cornerstone of habit formation. By repeatedly engaging in healthy behaviour, you reinforce neural pathways in the brain, making these behaviours more automatic and effortless over time. Remember, small, consistent actions accumulate to produce significant results. For example, over time, a balanced diet can lead to improvements in energy levels, weight management, digestion, and long-term disease prevention.
• Create an environment for healthy choices: Keep high calorie snacks out of sight or out of reach, and place healthier options like fruit and nuts in prominent locations. Schedule regular exercise sessions in your calendar, treating them as non-negotiable appointments. Choose social outings and activities that involve healthy behaviours, such as opting for hikes or picnics instead of bars or fast-food restaurants.
• Accountability partners: Share your health goals with friends or family who can hold you accountable for your choices. Having someone check in with us, or who we can share progress updates with, can encourage us to stick to healthier behaviours, even when faced with temptation.
• Seek professional support: If you're struggling to break unhealthy habits, consider seeking support from a healthcare professional, therapist, or nutritionist. Click here to reach out to a counsellor or a nutritionist.

We might be doing quite well and making better choices most of the time. Then suddenly, perhaps during the holidays, or a vulnerable time, we might backslide.  That does not, however, diminish the importance of striving for health. It is normal to fall off the wagon. That is part of what makes us human. However, what is important is that we pick ourselves up and get at it again. 

Even when it comes to ‘cheating’ (staying up till 1AM to watch TV, skipping exercise and eating a lot of sweets during a festival) , it is important that these be the exceptions instead of the rule and that we get back to doing what we need to do sooner rather than later.

Every small step towards healthier living, no matter how challenging, contributes to our overall well-being. Rather than viewing health as a temporary endeavour or short-term goal, it has to develop into an intrinsic part of who we are and how we live.