Sandy Anderson

Community health and wellness coordinator

The human heart has the ability to change the world; the changes typically begin with small decisions that are often driven by our needs or desires, fueled by our heart, the things we are passionate about. We explored in the column last month the importance of our environments (our kitchen cupboards or fridge, work spaces, even your purse or backpack) — how they encourage us in making the desired changes to be healthier or become roadblocks. This month we are going to add a second action step to improve the odds that the changes you seek to make will stick.

BJ Fogg, a researcher from Stanford University has studied behavior changes and what increases the likelihood that changes will evolve into new lifestyles. He shares the same conclusion we have regarding the importance of environment, setting yourself up for success by creating environments that support rather than sabotage your efforts to live better.

Fogg adds another factor to increase sustainable change. Daily decisions we make are another factor that you and I can be empowered by to make the new life habits that lead us to well-living. Fogg calls these “tiny habits” and challenges us to attach a small habit after a regular event/behavior. This decision to attach a small habit after something you already do/experience is powerful because it’s not creating more work, another task to remember, or another program to join. Brushing teeth is (or we hope is) a regular event in our lives…attaching a small habit (action) like drinking a glass of water after you brush doesn’t make for more work and has an actual direct health benefit to it. After a period of time, it would seem strange to not drink that glass of water after brushing your teeth, it now is a natural reflex or ritual. This practice can impact habits at home or work. Adding a deep breath after you sit down to your desk until it becomes a tiny habit. One that can clear your mind and help you be more present for the task in front of you and costs you nothing!

Here’s an opportunity to engage in a practical step: Create your own tiny habit by using a simple format by Fogg. We’d love to hear your tiny habits to inspire others!

After I ______________.

I will _______________.

Here’s to creating tiny habits that add up to big changes in the health of our communities and individual lives!

Wellness Wednesday tip

Take a hike! With heart disease being America’s No. 1 killer the time is now to stomp it out. Just 30 minutes of moderately intense physical activity each day can reduce your risk.