Maintaining a healthy body and mind is a lifelong journey that takes place in the present moment and requires you to make constant little choices with almost no immediate reward. These constant little life choices gradually become habits, forming our physical and mental well-being. I want to talk about habits, as it is important to understand the benefits of them and how to use them to our advantage to live a healthy life. Habits are an essential part of our wellness journey and without talking a little bit about how habits are formed, it is difficult to understand the significance of how habits relate to our lifestyles. Habits are deeply ingrained neural pathways in our brains, allowing us to perform routine actions with minimal conscious effort.

Every habit has a cue a routine and a reward, understanding this loop can help us identify the triggers of bad habits and replace them with a healthier routine that offers similar but healthier rewards. Making small constant healthy choices can lead to a break of a bad habit and a stride to a new one that offers wellness benefits, consistency is key to developing a new practice. The cue is the primary reaction (a trigger) that initiates the habit. It can be as simple as feeling stressed or sad to seeing a bag of chips or finishing a meal. Location, time of day, after an event and the people surrounding you can play a role in the cue, it’s the initial prompt that signals to your brain that it’s time to engage in a specific behavior. The routine is the behavior or action you perform in response to the cue and the reward is the satisfying feeling you get from completing the routine.

Breaking bad habits can be daunting however our brain has the power to change with something known as neuroplasticity. Neuroplasticity is the brains way of being able to change and adapt allowing your brain the flexibility to adjust and learn new things. This allows us to break habits and create new ones that will enhance our well-being for the better giving us long term results. Implementing positive habits into our daily lives is important for our physical, mental and emotional health. When it comes to chiropractic care, developing positive habits can enhance the treatments impact on our body by creating lasting impact on our wellness. Consistently seeing a chiropractor can help manage any misalignment’s promptly, and prevent potential issues from escalating. Some great habits to implement in between chiropractic adjustments include eating whole healthy foods, meditation, deep breathing exercises, regular stretching, walking and swimming.

In the journey towards a healthier and more fulfilling life, understanding the habit loop and recognizing your cues, routines, and rewards is vital. Reshaping your daily habits takes commitment, but it’s a powerful way to complement the advantages of chiropractic adjustments and promote overall well-being. Remember, it’s the accumulation of small, conscious choices that lead to lasting changes. One choice at a time, provided with the knowledge of your “why,” can offer the motivation needed to break old habits and create new, healthier ones. Embrace the power of habits and let them guide you toward a brighter, healthier future.