Balancing Life and Health: Practical Tips for Sustainable Change with Layne Stowell
Happy New Year!
What’s one small, sustainable health habit you plan to introduce or continue in your daily routine this year?
Today I’m sitting down with Layne Stowell, who’s going to help us create sustainable habits well into 2024!
We’re exploring the dynamics of habit formation, the power + effectiveness of starting small. This is not just a tactic but a transformative strategy for creating lasting change in our health and overall well-being.
Why Starting Small Makes a Big Difference?
This idea of 'starting small' stands in stark contrast to the common tendency to make grand resolutions, especially at the start of a new year. Layne highlights how small, manageable changes are more sustainable and less overwhelming than attempting to overhaul our lifestyle overnight. It’s one easy way to ensure our success and build on small wins each day!
Small steps help not only to build our confidence but they also create a sense of achievement. Every time we successfully complete a small goal, our brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with feelings of pleasure and satisfaction. This reward mechanism encourages us to keep going and tackle the next small step.
How to apply this 'Start Small' Philosophy?
Set Realistic Goals: Instead of vowing to hit the gym every day, or do a 2-hour yoga practice, aim for more doable actions like a 10-minute walk after dinner or 20-minutes of yoga.
Celebrate Small Victories: Acknowledge every step you take, no matter how small. This positive reinforcement is key to building momentum!
Build Gradually: Once a small habit is firmly in place, add another small change. Over time, these will accumulate into significant transformations.
Whether it was integrating a short meditation session in the morning or choosing healthier snack options, these small changes led to substantial, lasting health improvements.
Much like compound interest in finance, the compound effect of small habits can lead to exponential growth over time. A few minutes of daily exercise, for instance, may not seem like much initially, but over weeks and months, the cumulative health benefits will be life-changing!
The Finding Harmony Podcast is hosted, edited and produced by Harmony Slater and co-hosted by Russell Case.
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Opening and closing music compliments of my dear friend teaching Ashtanga yoga in Eindhoven, Nick Evans, with his band “dawnSong” from the album “for Morgan.” Listen to the entire album on Spotify - Click Here.
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