Lessons Learned: Healthy Environments

 



Logic tells us that environments affect our behavior. It makes so much sense when we consider examples like flowers and their need for soil, sun and water; or kids who grow up around gang activity and end up following that same path. Why is it so difficult for us to apply this same important observation to our ability to live healthy lives? We learn how to apply our critical thinking skills to problem solving in our careers... We need to use those same skills to create an environment that breeds healthy living. Here are some ideas to get started:

1.  Break Room Bests: At the beginning of the week encourage co-workers to donate a fruit of choice to be shared throughout the week. A bag of apples, a bunch of bananas... Before you know it, you've just filled the break room with an assortment of fresh fruits instead of donut boxes or candy bars.


2. Walking lunches: Scout out your neighboring areas with a fresh look to see if there are any new healthy lunch spots within walking distance. You'll be surprised how helpful that 10 minute walk is, along with controlling your portions and skipping dessert. A little fresh air never hurts either!


3. Get organized: If it takes 10 minutes or your entire afternoon, the time spent organizing can be priceless in terms of efficiency and stress management.


4. Add color: Blue for creativity, red for details... Whether it’s painting a room or just adding some flare to your desktop background, color can be such an inspiration.


5. Make a commitment: Set a deadline for the first piece to a large project, or pick an activity and ask a friend to commit along with you for support. Mark it on your calendar. Goals without deadlines never make the transition to accomplishments.


6. Identify the weed: Identify one obstacle that's in your way of achieving your goals; this could be anything from "your kids' Oreos", your snooze button, or even a sabotaging friend or spouse. What can you do to minimize your exposure to that obstacle.

Change your environment, change your life!!!

If You Can See It, You Can Achieve It

We talk a lot at H3 about setting up your environment for success—making sure you have the tools and items around you to facilitate a healthy lifestyle. It is true that if you build up the space around you to be successful then you are more likely to perform the behavior. Convenience is crucial when it comes to diet, exercise or any other health behavior. We are much more likely to work out if our gym is on the way home from work as opposed to going out of our way to get there. We are more likely to eat healthy foods if that is what we stock our pantry with. It’s hard to find the apple if it is hiding behind the bag of potato chips! If you see something, it is easier to choose that as an option. A great way to set up your environment for success is to make the best options easier to see.

Below are some methods that H3 @ Home members have used to set themselves up for success by placing visual reminders in their environment.

• Place vitamins next to the coffee maker. It’s the first thing most of us stumble to in the morning. Having the vitamins there will increase your chances of seeing them and can making them part of your daily routine.


• Lay out your workout clothes the night before. We call is “laying out your body”. Put on your floor all of the clothes you need the next day for your physical activity (this is most effective when arranged in the shape of your body). Making it easy to throw them on, as well as remind you in the morning that it’s a gym day!


• One former H3 guest uses their H3 water bottle at work to stay hydrated. It’s a great reminder throughout the day to stay active as well as the commitment made here at H3 to “get serious”.


• The sticky note is a powerful method for placing visual reminders around your environment. Use it to place your goals on the fridge to be reminded throughout the day of what you are working to achieve.

Those are some methods that others have used to visually remind themselves of their commitment to living a healthy lifestyle.
What are a few that you can use for some of the goals you have set for your life?