The Value of Small Steps to Improve Health

Often when we need to make changes for our mind, body, or spirit, doing so seems overwhelming. Sometimes the magnitude of change that we would like to see keeps us from taking the first step at all. Other times, we set out with gusto and make sweeping changes all at once. In most cases, those sweeping changes fade away as quickly as they started. When we jump into change without taking the time to integrate it into our lives slowly, the change isn’t sustainable.

Rather than looking at improved health as one massive change, it’s often better to look at it as a series of small changes. Focusing on small steps is both less overwhelming and increases the odds that the changes stick around to make an impact on your health.

It’s not an exaggeration to say that your entire life can change by taking one small step. That first small step leads to another and another. Habits are built, and health is improved. It is all a part of the process of change.

Maybe the effort to jump into an intense workout routine is too much for you physically today. That’s okay. Find ways to move more and do it, even if it’s a 10-minute walk around the block. After that has become routine and easy for you, you can build on it. Every little bit of effort you put into yourself counts and will work together for your health.

Not only are small steps achievable and sustainable, but they also encourage more steps in other areas of life. For example, you may find it easier to focus on eating foods that fuel your body when you know you’ve taken steps toward more activity. Practicing meditation may help you feel more comfortable putting your phone down instead of mindlessly scrolling and adding to your stress level.

So, what are a few small steps to get you started on your journey toward better health? Here are some ideas that might help.

●      Take a 10-minute walk during your lunch break.

●      Add one extra veggie to dinner each night.

●      Meditate for one full minute.

●      After you’ve been sitting and working for an hour, get up and take a minute or two to stretch your muscles.

As you start taking small steps toward better health, pause every now and then to celebrate how far you’ve come. Rather than comparing yourself to a perfect ideal, look at the positive changes you’ve made and know that each small change you are making adds up. In time, all your small steps add up to big change.