Choose A Self-Care Cue
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Have you heard of a habit loop? It’s a concept originally described by Charles Duhigg in his book The Power of Habit. Today, there are many variations of the loop. Regardless, the cue is always the first part of the habit loop. It acts as a catalyst for an automatic behavior to start.
To create a habit, you must have a cue that encourages a change in behavior. Common examples of cues are:
Cues can lead to unhealthy habits — but when used strategically, they can help create healthy ones. For example, you could train yourself to exercise at a certain time each day or each time you feel hungry, you could drink a glass of water instead. When your self-care goal becomes a habit, it’ll feel natural, automatic. You won’t even have to think about doing it.
What could be your cue to perform your self-care? Share it here or reply to us on Twitter, in our private Facebook group or Instagram. Remember to tag us with #healthynurse!
Missed day 3? Catch up here. Join us on day 5.
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To create a habit, you must have a cue that encourages a change in behavior. Common examples of cues are:
- Time: Doing a task at a certain time of day, like brushing your teeth first thing in the morning.
- Location: Completing an action at a particular place, like looking in the refrigerator for a snack whenever you’re in the kitchen.
- Preceding event: Doing something in response to an event, like checking social media whenever your phone buzzes.
- Emotional state: A habit that you do when you feel a certain way, like reaching for a sugary treat when you’re feeling depressed.
Cues can lead to unhealthy habits — but when used strategically, they can help create healthy ones. For example, you could train yourself to exercise at a certain time each day or each time you feel hungry, you could drink a glass of water instead. When your self-care goal becomes a habit, it’ll feel natural, automatic. You won’t even have to think about doing it.
What could be your cue to perform your self-care? Share it here or reply to us on Twitter, in our private Facebook group or Instagram. Remember to tag us with #healthynurse!
Missed day 3? Catch up here. Join us on day 5.
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09/14/2023 4:06pm CDT
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