Discover the Benefits of Healthy Habits
As the sun comes out and we get out of the winter blues, Spring is the perfect time to put in place those healthy habits that will have you feeling energised and in control again.
Building healthy habits can feel overwhelming to start off with, so it’s important to keep your goals achievable and simple. The more attainable they are, the more likely you are to keep them.
One of the best ways to action and sustain a healthy habit is to have an accountability partner alongside you, cheering you on.
In a large weight-loss randomised controlled trial, of the participants who were recruited with friends and given social support in addition to standard therapy, 95% completed treatment and 66% maintained their weight loss in full (Wing & Jeffery, 1999).
So, we at ELIA Lifestyle Medicine Centre encourage you to:
Go walking with a friend once a week.
Ask your friends to bring a fruit platter for dessert to the next social event.
Make a mocktail on sparkling mineral water instead of a glass of wine with dinner
Use the power of social support to empower you on your journey towards building sustainable healthy habits.
This article was written by Erin Keegan, ELIA Lifestyle Medicine Centre Wellness Coach and Registered Nurse.
Book a consultation with Erin now and transform your life with professional wellness coaching, guidance and support.
Source: Wing, R. R., & Jeffery, R. W. (1999). Benefits of recruiting participants with friends and increasing social support for weight loss and maintenance. Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology, 67(1), 132–138. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-006X.67.1.132