Health Coach Institute is founded on the premise that changing a habit, changes a life. So we decided to go inside the HCI team in search of some answers as to whether this is true for our team.

And what we discovered was that habits mean different things to different people but one thing’s for sure that it’s an automated choice or behavior that does not serve you. It can be a thought, an action, a food choice, a mindset, a belief and more.

We asked a random half dozen HCI team members to share what changing just ONE habit did to change their lives and whether this was, in fact, really a change and here’s what we found:

REBECCA: Daily 5-Minute Journaling Ritual 

What 1 habit did you change?
I established a calming morning and evening journaling ritual that set me up for my most successful day.

How was it affecting your life before in a bad way?
My mornings were chaotic to say the least with trying to get my toddler ready and out the door for daycare and get myself ready for the work day. I’d often feel completely depleted before the day even began without any time to devote to self-care, silence, and reflection. I realized I really needed that solo time to feel my best.

What did you replace it with? Or what are you doing instead?
I started waking up a bit earlier than my early-rising toddler (5:30 a.m.) and starting my day with my 5-Minute Journal, which includes reflective prompts to center me, set my intention for the day, and remind me of all the things in life to be grateful for. It felt good to sit quietly and do something for myself that would put me on a positive, peaceful path for the day. At night before bed, I return to the journal to reflect on my day by answering a couple more prompts. This encourages me to note my successes and to think about what I can do better tomorrow.

How is your life different and better now?
This small practice has been monumental for me. It’s completely changed my outlook and given me the peace among the daily chaos I truly needed. By anchoring my day with intention and gratitude, I’ve elevated my happiness and can make my personal growth a daily cherished habit.

Five minutes have never been so powerful!

HEATHER: Calendarizing ME time

What 1 habit did you change?
I didn’t put myself on my own priority list.

How was it affecting your life before in a bad way?
I had to realize that perfect is not always 100%…sometimes it’s making the best decision and doing the best you can with the situation you are in.  I have a physical disability that affects my mobility and that has been difficult to adjust to so I tend to shut down and avoid situations that are difficult for me.

What did you replace it with? Or what are you doing instead?
I re-framed my reality and take steps (no pun intended) to make sure that I allow time for self-care, socialization, and activities outside of work. I actually put them on my calendar just like a work appointment.

How is your life different and better now?
I feel like I have better personal balance and am not as isolated.  I’m also healthier now that I have found ways to be mobile with my physical challenge. I also found that I am more focused and productive when I make the choice to step away from my work.

COLINE: Going 90% gluten-free

What 1 habit did you change?
I removed gluten from my diet.

How was it affecting your life before in a bad way?
My stomach would always cramp up after eating something with a lot of gluten in it, like pizza, or a sub sandwich. My skin, which was usually clear, began breaking out more, and my eczema was flaring up all year round instead of just during drier / colder months. Since I am riddled with auto-immune diseases I decided to give the Gluten Free life a chance, as many studies have found links between autoimmune disorders and gluten.

What did you replace it with? Or what are you doing instead?
I am now Gluten Free 90% of the time and I substitute wheat bread with rice bread or cauliflower, which is really easy and delicious.

How is your life different and better now?
My stomach rarely cramps up now and my skin is almost completely clear. I have a little more control of my eczema, and no longer have year round flare ups for the first time since I was 19. As for showing any signs of curing my autoimmune diseases, I have not seen any drastic differences. I do know that I have more hair on my head and arms than I did this time last year, which is very exciting! For anyone who has autoimmune diseases, though, they know it’s a case by case basis. Here today, gone tomorrow. Going gluten free has definitely helped keep my energy and mood up, though! So, hair or no hair, vitiligo or clear skin – I am very happy with this change I made as a feel and look healthier than I have in a long time.

SAMANTHA: Valuing Self-care Techniques

What 1 habit did you change?
Self-harming

How was it affecting your life before in a bad way?
When I was younger I went through a massive identity shift when I was forced to leave competitive gymnastics due to an injury. I had so much pain in every major joint of my body that simple movements and gentle touches would be excruciating. Not knowing how to relate to myself, others, or this new pain in my body I decided to dissociate from myself so that I could no longer feel and make life bearable.

This led to social isolation, a deep depression, and panic attacks. As horrible as it was, self-harming became my way to feel again and make sense of the world. Not wanting my family or friends to know what I was going through this led to further amounts of isolation.

What did you replace it with? Or what are you doing instead?
Over the years I have acquired many techniques so that self-harming is no longer an option for coping with negative emotions. I have learned how to be with terribly uncomfortable emotions and just let them be, journal, take walks in nature to calm my mind, meditate, release emotions through dance, and bust through false beliefs with coaching.

How is your life different and better now?
It is seriously night and day. I went from believing that I was worthless and had nothing to contribute to trusting my innate abilities and imagination. Now I feel there is an endless amount of ways for me to give back to the world and believe anything is truly possible.

SHANI: Morning Dry Skin Brushing

What 1 habit did you change?
The habit of hating my skin and not treating it with loving-kindness.

How was it affecting your life before in a bad way?
I have struggled with skin issues for decades—from dry, itchy skin to skin that gets easily burned and irritated. These ‘outbreaks’ have gotten so bad that sometimes all that helps is an ice pack till my skin is numb. I have always felt my skin was too pale, too blotchy, too dry but never thought to just love it for the amazing thing that it is—my largest organ that protects me from environmental toxins, negative energy and the thing that coats my soul.

What did you replace it with? Or what are you doing instead?
I replaced the habit of hating my skin with the habit of loving my skin. Instead of affirmations, I tried something physical that a friend suggested—the Ayurvedic practice of dry skin brushing aka Garshana. Every morning before I shower, I brush my body from neck to ankle in long, firm strokes all aimed toward my heart. It sheds dry skin, stimulates my lymph system, clears toxins and energizes me, making me feel lighter and cleaner and more alive. Then I either rub lavender almond oil all over my skin and shower it off or I rub jojoba oil all over and leave it on.

How is your life different and better now?
My skin thanks me every day by showing up less itchy, less dry and more nourished. I feel better in my own skin because it’s not as irritated and flaking. It even sometimes glows a bit and feels a lot softer to the touch. This makes me feel happier all round and makes me more accepting of my skin, which in turn makes me treat it with more loving-kindness. So the cycle feeds itself. I love my dry skin brush! It’s changed my life.

ALICE: Getting High On Life

What 1 habit did you change?
I used to ​love​ getting high on marijuana and alcohol. I loved feeling out of my body and numbing out from the pain of the world and my own feelings. I also loved giggling and having fun and there was always a party!

How was it affecting your life before in a bad way?
For many years getting high with these substances served me and I had a great time. But after a while, the pot and alcohol started to not work. No matter how much I drank or smoked, I didn’t feel the relaxed, uplifting, happy feeling. I felt sad, isolated, depressed, paranoid and lonely, even though I had many people around me who loved me and I was in a beautiful marriage to my dear husband, I still had low self-esteem, lack of motivation to move forward in my career, intense insecurity, and self-doubting, self-loathing thoughts all throughout the day.

At the end of my using drugs and alcohol I wanted to die, and it wasn’t getting better no matter how much I tried with eating well or therapy—the substances were affecting me negatively and something needed to change. I had a dark night of the soul for a long period of time—one of several dark nights of the soul and it was private and isolating.

What did you replace it with? Or what are you doing instead?
Fortunately, I finally got help. I started to participate in 12-step programs and getting honest with the people in my life. Twelve-step meetings, spiritual exploration, more therapy, good food, and feeding my soul with things that I love to do, started me on a path to recovering my true self, getting honest and living in a new way.

​For years now, ​I have been clear headed. I have more energy. I feel young and vibrant. I am living a life with more integrity and commitment to my values. I understand addiction and have helped 100’s of people through the process of healing from addiction. I still LOVE to get high, but now it is a natural high. A high on life​!​ ​I even get high on a salad or smoothies. It doesn’t take much these days!

How is your life different and better now?

I ​am still ​challenged with depression​, and​ I get support for that. The lows are not as low, and I don’t need to use drugs and alcohol to cope. I now am very happy being in my body and enjoying my body. I still giggle just as much and have just as much fun. ​It’s just different.​ If you are suffering from addiction of any kind. I offer you hope that there is a solution and another way of living. Don’t give up before a miracle.

Let us know in the comments below…what ONE habit did you change that has changed YOUR life?

Join Health Coach Institute and Become a Health Coach

Coaching is a great career that you can help others, while also learning how to help your own personal growth. Health Coach Institute is a top health and wellness coaching certification program. Join our Become a Health Coach program and begin coaching in 6 months! If you are already a coach and want to advance your skills, check out HCI’s Coach Mastery program. 

Want to learn more about the life changing benefits of habit change? Call (877) 914-2242.

By:

Health Coach Institute provides aspiring Health and Life Coaches with the tools, training, and support to make a great living transforming lives.