LEARNING HEALTHY HABITS: THE 75 SOFT CHALLENGE
One of my favourite things about being self employed is being able to design my days around things that matter to me, including my health. To kick off 2024 I am undertaking the 75 Soft challenge, in order to help me learn healthy habits and get into a good routine, as sometimes it can be hard to stick to routines when you are working remotely, especially whilst travelling.
WHY ARE HEALTHY HABITS IMPORTANT?
Healthy habits provide the support for a flourishing and fulfilling life. They can improve the following:
Physical Well-Being: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and sufficient sleep support optimal bodily functions, help maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of various illnesses.
Mental Health: Adequate sleep, stress management, and mindfulness practices can improve mood, reduce anxiety, and enhance cognitive function.
Increased Energy Levels: Regular physical activity, proper nutrition, and hydration contribute to increased vitality and sustained energy throughout the day.
Improved Productivity: When your body and mind are well-nourished and well-rested, you're better equipped to focus, make decisions, and tackle tasks efficiently.
Enhanced Quality of Life: When you feel good physically and mentally, you're more likely to engage in and enjoy various aspects of life, from work to relationships and leisure activities.
Disease Prevention: Many chronic diseases, such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain cancers, are influenced by lifestyle factors. Healthy habits, such as regular exercise and a nutritious diet, can contribute to disease prevention and overall longevity.
Mood Regulation: Physical activity and a balanced diet have been linked to the regulation of mood-enhancing chemicals in the brain. Healthy habits can contribute to a more stable and positive emotional state.
Long-Term Health: While immediate changes might be noticeable, the cumulative effects over time can result in sustained well-being and a reduced risk of health issues.
Improved Sleep Quality: Establishing a routine of healthy habits, such as maintaining a regular sleep schedule and creating a relaxing bedtime routine, can contribute to improved sleep quality, which is crucial for overall health.
Healthy Aging: Regular exercise, a balanced diet, and other positive lifestyle choices can contribute to maintaining physical and cognitive function as you age.
Ultimately, healthy habits are the building blocks for a resilient, balanced, and vibrant life. They empower you to take control of their well-being and contribute to a more fulfilling and enjoyable existence.
SO, WHAT IS THE 75 SOFT?
The 75 Soft challenge is a watered down version of the 75 Hard challenge - a popular mental toughness and fitness challenge created by Andy Frisella, an entrepreneur and motivational speaker. Both challenges encourage you to commit to a set of activities for 75 days, including things like exercise, reading, meditation, or other habits aimed at improving physical and mental well-being. Committing to this challenge will hopefully help you learn the habits, and therefore easily add them into your daily life moving forward.
I have a lot of respect for those that undertake the Hard version, but I wanted something that would keep me accountable and help me learn new habits, but whilst not burning out. My version of the 75 soft challenge includes the following:
Eat well, incorporating more nutritious foods into my diet including more protein and fibre
Only drink alcohol on social occasions
Train for 45 minutes everyday for 75 days. One day a week is to be active recovery.
Aim to get 10k steps minimum every day
Drink three litres of water a day
Read 10 pages of any book a day or listen to an education podcast for 20 mins a day
I will be starting the challenge at the end of this week, and have created a dedicated channel on my Instagram page to post my updates - to hold myself accountable and to inspire and motovate others that might want to do the same. Feel free to join here! I will also be updating my progress on my Tik Tok channel here.