Wellness Wednesday: Setting Intentions in Motion

The fresh start of a new year often means setting new goals and resolutions. A few weeks later, when we are back to our routines and the novelty of a new year has worn off, you may find that you have already forgotten or given up our goals. 

The same thing can be true for changes we want to make relating to classes or work. So, how can we turn those goals into sustainable habits that stay with us? Here are a series of simple steps you can take to help turn your goals into reality. 

Form Habits That Stick

An important first step in forming a habit is to make it specific. Instead of saying “I will eat healthy this year”, write out what that looks like for you. Think about if that means eating a certain number of fruits and vegetables each day or limiting the number of sugary foods you eat each week. 

Next, start small. For example, maybe you realize that you don’t have the expertise on what eating healthy looks like on campus. Maybe your first step is to investigate nutrition through wellness coaching or nutrition counseling services. Rewarding yourself for the small victories along the way can keep you motivated until you reach those major milestones. Maybe your reward for investigating campus resources or booking your first appointment and following through with it is treating yourself to an at-home movie night, or adding additional rest time in your busy weekend plans. 

Consistency is Key

Consistency is a must when it comes to forming habits that last because it takes around 66 days on average to form a habit. Just like it is important to name a specific habit you want to start, having a specific action plan of how, when and where you can incorporate this habit will make it easier to reach that 66 day mark. 

Finding an accountability partner is also helpful for combatting procrastination, finding motivation and building community. There are even apps you can download that function as an accountability partner and others that can help you to track your progress. Many of us already have habits that make up our everyday routines. Habit stacking is another strategy you can use to pair a new habit with an existing one. This is a great way to reduce the amount of time you spend planning when you will practice your habit making it easier to follow through.

Practice Positive Affirmations

In addition to the support that your accountability partner can provide to keep you motivated and engaged while completing your goals, you are your own best cheerleader when it comes to seeking fulfillment. These affirmations, called positive self-talk, provide a great means to obtain mental and emotional balance. Simple reminders like “I’m okay,” or “I’m on the right track” can be enough to get you through stressful times when you feel like you’re losing steam or are struggling to see the progress in your goals.  

Following the theme of positive affirmations, Wellness and Recreation is hosting the first Howl and Chill in partnership with the Crafts Center where you can walk away with your custom-stamped message on a bracelet. Registration is open now for students to attend, stop by on Jan. 22. 

More on Student Wellness Coaching

Forming new habits and working towards new goals can be a daunting task. However, change is possible and you don’t have to do it alone. Are you interested in working with an accountability partner who is also a certified health coach? Wellness coaches are available to help you set goals related to improving your well-being. NC State students receive four sessions of wellness coaching for free each semester. Work with a student coach today to set SMARTER goals relating to nutrition, physical activity, stress and time management and more. 

You have what it takes to start habits that last, and we can’t wait to watch your progress!