Lifestyle choices and behaviors play a big role in our overall health. For example, a poor diet, lack of exercise, excessive alcohol use, and smoking can lead to a variety of chronic health conditions.

But all is not lost. Studies show that making small behavior changes can go a long way to help you to achieve your health goals.

Let’s take a closer look at four ways that you make positive changes in your life today to be happier and healthier for years to come.

Dive Deeper: Behavior Change: The Path Towards Health Transformation

1) Take advantage of your Vera care team

You’re not alone. Your Vera care team wants to walk alongside you as you make positive changes for your health. They’ll provide consistent, judgment-free support to help you stay the course.

There are two simple ways that you can start taking advantage of the care team:

1. Schedule an Annual Whole Health Evaluation to spend time with a provider discussing your health and setting goals for the coming year.
2. Meet with a Vera whole health coach at a 15-minute coaching connection to discuss your health goals and what you need to do to achieve them.

2) Set aside some “me” time

Change isn’t easy. Many of us have busy schedules, and trying to find the time to devote to changing up our daily lifestyle routines can be daunting. You may be accustomed to putting your own well-being on the back burner in favor of caring for others. But, keep in mind that taking time to care for yourself is anything but selfish. 

Take a first positive step by checking out our mindful moments playlist on Youtube. You can also check out Melanie Dockery’s list of 12 things you can do to take care of you.

3) Visualize the change you want to see and set some goals to achieve it

We’re all in different places in our lives. Maybe you want to better cope with stress and anxiety. Maybe you want to lose a few pounds. Maybe you need to make some positive changes to reduce your risk of a chronic condition.

Whatever the case, taking some time to think through your end goal and then setting some goals along the way will help you do just that. 

If you need some inspiration, check out this post from Vera health coach Melissa Arthur from back in January. 

4) Show yourself a little grace and kindness

Vera health coaches work with you to make behavior change on your terms, but it’s work. However, it doesn’t need to be excruciating, painful, or daunting. It’s important to give yourself the grace you deserve when you stumble. Your health coach is there to help you get back on track, without judgement. 

There are no tips to link to here. Just sit back, take a breath, and acknowledge that you’re not perfect. Every time we fall short of our aspirations, the most important thing is to get back up and try again. You’ve got this!

At the end of the day, behavior change is about practicing good self-care and making it a priority. When you make space for this type of care in your life, it reverberates into the lives of everyone around you. Being empowered to take ownership of your health has a ripple effect. 

Read more about how coaching and behavior change are improving health outcomes for members by checking out our in-depth guide, Behavior Change: The Path Towards Health Transformation.