With the rising threat of climate change, people around the world are increasinglyrecognizing the importance of large-scale sustainability. In a recent poll of American and Australian citizens, 93% of respondents expressed concern for the environment and indicated that they are ready to act. Sustainable habits that individuals themselves can undertake include recycling, driving less, avoiding single-use plastics, and adopting a plant-based diet.
But its important to keep in mind that identifying a problem is just the first step of a much larger project: Changing your lifestyle to incorporate sustainable habits can prove to be a bit more challenging. To better ensure success as you work to incorporate more sustainable habits into your daily life, consider digging a little deeper into the science behind habit formation.
It is generally accepted that habits have three distinct components: Trigger, action, and reward. When youre working to form a new habit, its crucial that you focus on how each component relates to your end goal.Our reward centers primarily fuel change, so you must be sure to reward yourself every time you reach a goal or milestone.
The human bodys rewards center essentially runs on dopamine, a powerful neurotransmitter. There are plenty of ways to give yourself a temporary dopamine boost, most of which have negative repercussions. Whats more, the rewards from smoking a cigarette,drinking alcohol, or overindulging in a rich dessert tend to fade quickly.
Conversely, dopamine cultivated via positive habits such as regular exercise and plant-based eating builds up over time. When it comes to sustainable habits, youre building a strong reward-based foundation every time you bring along reusable totes, take the bus to work, or choose themeat-free option at lunchtime.
Forming sustainable habits starts with your triggers or cues. In regards to adopting a healthier, more sustainable diet, identify the cues or triggers that cause you to crave unhealthy foods. Triggers are highly individualized and can come from both internal and external sources.
Where sustainable habits can help improve your overall health, triggers typically have the opposite effect and can negatively affect you both mentally and physically. According to Bradley University, Physical health can associate significantly with a persons mental health. The good news is that adopting sustainable habits, no matter how small, may induce increased feelings of optimism, life satisfaction, and happiness, as you work to change the world for the better.
Major lifestyle changes cant occur in a bubble, nor should you go at it alone. Those pursuing a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle may lean on healthcare professionals or loved ones for support. Sometimes, we need a second voice to give us a much-needed boost on challenging days.
Ultimately, however, successfully building sustainable habits comes down to your motivation and willingness to change. Simply put, if youre not willing to make the (often difficult) changes to better your life and health, as well as the health of the planet, then youre unlikely to succeed in the long-term. Further, you need to be the spearhead of your own change, especially if your ultimate goal is to foster a sustainable mindset over the long term. In fact, progress towards a self-determined behavioral goal supports patients sense of autonomy and sustains interest, U.K. researchers found.
When implementing lasting change, repetition is key: In fact, repeating your actions consistently is key to the promotion of long-term behavioral changes. Start by setting an attainable goal thats challenging but not overwhelming, and start small. If your goal is to adopt a plant-based diet, for example, choose one or two days per week as meat-free days, and be consistent.
Again, make sure not to skip the reward step. Every time you achieve your goal, reinforce the behavior with something positive perhaps treat yourself to a spa day, or reward yourself with a decadent dessert made with locally sourced ingredients.
As you work to cultivate sustainable habits, try not to feel as though youre missing out on something. Positivity is key when youre working to develop a healthier relationship with food, and in turn, with the natural world. If you primarily look at your evolving habits in a negative light, youll likely end up doing more harm than good, and you may even abandon your goals altogether.
So, to make the habit of sustainability stick, stay positive. Rather than viewing a reduction in single-use plastics or processed foods as a sort of deprivation, focus on how your new sustainable habits can make your life better. For starters, think of the numerous ways in which sustainable eating makes a positive impact on both the planet and your local community. And dont be afraid to seek out encouragement from outside parties if you need extra support.
In this way, positive thinking and sustainability can exist in a sort of symbiotic relationship: As you continue to form sustainable habits, youll stimulate your brains dopamine receptors, reinforcing the myriad positives of cultivating sustainability in every aspect of your daily life.
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How to Form Sustainable, Eco-Friendly Habits That Will Stick - The Beet
