Little and often – Daily habits that can make a positive change
Meet Michael. He looks after himself by focusing on the small wins. Making time every day for activities that make him feel good and are achievable has a powerful effect on his wellbeing and following his advice could help yours this Movember.
There’s a lot of advice out there. Take a look at any social media platform, turn on the TV or pick up a newspaper and they are filled with ideas about how you can improve your health and wellbeing. Sometimes it can feel overwhelming. With gym exercises and what you should and shouldn’t be eating plus advice on how to manage the inevitable stress of life, most people don’t know where to start.
Moments of time
But there is another way. Meet Michael Payne, Stepladder’s Team Manager, whose approach is different. He snatches moments of time every day, sticking to small actions that are easy to fit into his life and end up making a big difference.
Michael’s regime of choice is breath work, yoga –based movement exercises and cold plunge. These three activities are simple, free and can be done at home at any time of day. Some of the benefits include improved mood, better sleep, a boost in energy and the prevention of illness.
And although it only takes half an hour a day, Michael says building this regular habit has improved his life.
‘A few minutes a day well spent have had a dramatic effect. The practices individually are all beneficial, but I have found when used together that they really help with the stresses and strains of everyday life. They help me feel more focused, my head feels clearer, and my energy levels are higher. If I don’t do it, even for a short period, I start to feel sluggish and life feels harder.’
Daily routine
Michael bought an ice bath tub for his back garden and takes the plunge for three minutes every day. He admits that plucking up the courage to actually get in can be difficult, especially in the Winter months, but using breathing techniques throughout the practice helps to get over the initial shock.
Michael’s age was a factor in incorporating these habits into his daily routine. After a lifetime spent being physically active, he found that traditional exercise was leaving him with injuries and was looking for other activities that would help both mind and body.
‘I’ve always been very active but as I got older playing sports was becoming more difficult, so I was looking for ways to still get the benefits both physically and mentally but without the impact it was having on my body.’
Good intentions
The important thing about making incremental changes to your wellbeing routine is that small steps add up. However, we’ve all been there. Life is hectic and despite having good intentions it is difficult to find time between the daily grind, competing priorities of family and friends and work commitments. The key here is not to beat yourself up if you miss a day. Habits take a while to form, and it is only natural that they will take time to bed in. It is the intention that is important. The knowledge that taking time for yourself is not just ok but essential and will help you and the people around you. So, if you skip a session, it’s simple; come back the next day and start again.
‘Sometimes life can feel like you’re on a bit of a hamster wheel or stuck in a corner,’ says Michael, ‘Remembering that my wellbeing matters enough to stop and do something, even these small steps really make a difference.’
What small step will you take to help your wellbeing this Movember? If joining a group would help to form good habits then there are lots to choose from in Somerset. Find them on Stepladder’s interactive map.