Wellness tip: 3 Triggers to Help New Habits Stick

Building lasting habits isn't just about willpower, it’s about smart design.

By anchoring new behaviours to specific triggers, you can make them more automatic and sustainable. Here are three effective habit triggers to help your new routines stick:

Time-Based Triggers
Establishing a habit at a consistent time each day creates a reliable cue.

For instance, committing to a 10-minute meditation every morning at 7:00 AM leverages your internal clock to prompt the behaviour. Over time, this consistency reinforces the habit, making it a natural part of your daily routine.

Location-Based Triggers
Your environment can serve as a powerful reminder.

Associating a specific place with a habit—like doing push-ups in your living room or journaling at your kitchen table—helps your brain link the location to the activity. This spatial association makes it easier to initiate the habit whenever you're in that setting.

Habit Stacking (Preceding Event Triggers)
Linking a new habit to an existing one creates a seamless transition.

This method, known as habit stacking, involves identifying a current habit and pairing it with a new behaviour. For example, after brushing your teeth (existing habit), you might immediately floss (new habit). This strategy leverages the established routine to cue the new action, enhancing its likelihood of sticking.

By thoughtfully selecting and implementing these triggers, you can design an environment and routine that naturally support your desired habits, making them more resilient and enduring.