The summer is often seen as the peak season for health and wellness enthusiasts. It’s a time when social media, especially YouTube videos, and retail stores are flooded with the concept of obtaining the ‘summer body.’ Bikini ads, countless protein shake options, and gym promotions become ubiquitous. This barrage of messages creates a lot of pressure, which some people can easily ignore (and I envy those people), while many of us often find ourselves succumbing to it.

If you are currently on a health and wellness journey or just starting out—aiming to improve your quality of life rather than simply losing weight (we don’t focus on weight loss at Pepetoe!)—then this post is for you. Today, I want to discuss how to make small, manageable changes in your life, because not every improvement needs to be a massive transformation.

Start Small: Incremental Changes Lead to Sustainable Habits

The first thing worth mentioning is that you don’t have to overhaul your entire life to achieve a ‘healthy lifestyle’ or keep up with trends. You’re also not obligated to live up to any external standards. Many people jump onto wellness trends—green juices, vitamin gummies, trendy protein brands—but it’s perfectly fine if you don’t. This post is about embracing a healthy lifestyle in a way that feels right for you. And that’s important to remember.

A common misconception is that you need to change everything all at once. This approach is neither attainable nor sustainable. The best way to change your lifestyle is little by little. Trying to do everything simultaneously, no matter how motivated you are, often leads to burnout.

Prioritise and Break Down Your Goals

If you’re looking to improve your sleep, eating habits, and exercise routine, start with what you consider the most important. For instance, if healthy eating is your priority, break this goal into smaller, manageable steps. You could begin by incorporating more protein or vegetables into your diet.

Breaking down habits—similar to breaking down to-do lists—is the simplest way to improve your life. Once you’ve maintained one new habit for 1-2 weeks (depending on the change’s magnitude), you can add another. For instance, after establishing healthier eating habits, focus on improving your sleep quality by limiting screen time an hour before bed or creating a calming nighttime routine.

Add Rather Than Subtract

When making lifestyle changes, focus on adding new, positive elements to your routine rather than taking things away. This fosters a more positive mindset and reduces the struggle associated with adopting new habits.

For example, rather than cutting out all your favourite foods, add more nutritious options to your meals. This approach is not only more sustainable but also makes the process enjoyable and rewarding.

Do It for Yourself

Remember, there is no right or wrong way to change your life and lead a healthy lifestyle. Everyone’s journey is unique. Trends can serve as motivation, but be cautious of falling into unhealthy patterns. Be mindful of who you follow on social media and ensure that your efforts are for you and only you—not to meet the expectations of friends, family, or social media beauty standards.

Conclusion

Making small improvements in your life doesn’t require a complete overhaul. Start with one priority, break it down into manageable steps, and add positive changes to your routine. By focusing on incremental changes and doing it for yourself, you’ll find that living a healthy lifestyle becomes more attainable and sustainable. Remember, the journey to self-improvement is personal, and the most important thing is to make choices that enhance your well-being and happiness.