Habits make a behavior natural. Following your routine, you don’t think as they have become part of your habits. A paper written by researchers David Nead, published by Duke University, stated that more than 40 percent of actions people perform every day are not decisions, but habits.
The Importance of Creating a Daily Routine and Developing Habits
A habit is an impulse to do a behavior with little or no conscious thought, such as when you wear a seat belt upon sitting in a car seat. A 2009 study published in the European Journal of Social Psychology reported that it takes 18 to 254 days for a person to form a new habit. The time is broad because some habits are easier to form than others. Also, some people may find it easier to develop new behaviors. In the same study, it was concluded that on average, it takes 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic.
A routine is a frequently repeated behavior. It offers a way to promote health and wellness. Creating a daily routine is an effective way to lower stress levels, get better sleep, and have healthy habits and a pleasant experience. Winning habits are automatic routines that empower you to be victorious in all situations.
By following the practice of Robin Sharma, we can greatly benefit from creating a daily routine. Having learned from the habits of billionaires, he devised a method for starting his day described as 20-20-20. He consistently wakes up at 5 a.m. and spends the first twenty minutes of each day moving or exercising to supercharge his body and elevate his mood by boosting the production of endorphins, hormones that act as natural antidepressants. He follows this up with twenty minutes of reflecting for spiritual upliftment and the last twenty minutes learning new things for growth.
Robin Sharma does this routine to boost the alpha brainwaves, one of the five types of human brainwaves. When stimulated, these alpha waves can help reduce stress and anxiety, cause a relaxed mental state, and boost creativity by an average of 7.4%.
Smart Ways to Sustain Healthy Habits
1. Build a healthy habit in your schedule.
Allot a specific, workable time in your schedule for your new habit. Many successful people find it easiest to do things in the morning before starting their workday or in the evening before calling it a day. What’s important is that you consistently stick to your new habit around a specific time and take positive control of your time. Without a solid plan for adopting a new habit, you’ll find it easy to find an excuse that will crush your good intentions.
2. Surround yourself with positive influences.
Seek reinforcement for your healthy habit from someone or a group who shares your mission. You can also have a buddy who has a similar goal and can work with you. You can likewise join a class or interest group where group members support each other in their journey towards improvement. They can support you along the way so you can hold them accountable whenever you fail to practice your habit.
3. Set your goals and milestones.
Realistic targets and milestones can help you stay motivated and on the right track. You can reward yourself with something of your personal choice for achieving major milestones, especially in the first month, and also for your success in having a new behavior become your habit and ingrained into your way of life.
4. Get the help you need.
You may find that things may not be going your way in your goal to develop and sustain winning habits for some different reasons. For example, if you struggle to overcome the challenges of breaking a bad habit, such as smoking when you’re anxious or consuming alcohol more than you can, and sustain healthy habits, it may be helpful to find help from the experts. A mental health professional or personal life coach can greatly help.
Developing winning habits will serve you well throughout your career and life. Being able to sustain these habits can help you find success in any endeavor. If you are finding it hard to cope with your bad habits and replace them with healthy routines, we might be able to help you.
Make Healthy Habits a Lifestyle, Not a Task
Building and sustaining healthy habits takes time, patience, and consistency. It’s not about making sudden, drastic changes, but about committing to small, meaningful actions every day that move you closer to your goals. When you intentionally shape your routines and surround yourself with positive influences, you begin to rewire your mindset—transforming good habits into a natural part of your life.
Remember, the key to lasting success is sustainability. The habits you practice today will determine the quality of your health, mindset, and overall happiness tomorrow. Stay consistent, celebrate your progress, and let your daily habits become the foundation of a healthier, more fulfilling life.
