A New Year, A New You

Got your New Year’s Resolutions? Make sure they include patience and perseverance!

It can take up to 66 days to replace an old habit, according to research at the University College London. So if you want to retrain your brain — or if you want your kids to pick up their clothes off the floor without being told — you can start gently working on it beginning January 2 and the new habit could take hold by March 9. So yeah, patience and perseverance.

Now at Big Blue, our science-based program uses games and fun to help young swimmers create great swimming habits quickly. We see results much, much faster than 66 days. That’s why we say Life’s Big Moments Start Here.
But to get rid of ingrained habits out of the pool, parents can start slow and stay consistent. Go easy on yourself if you miss a day — just keep swimming.

• Set the scene for success. Look at the setting where the new routine will take place. It’s important that something about it is consistent so that it can cue the new behavior. So if getting your kid to pick up dirty clothes is the goal, try having her greet her hamper every day — “Hi, hamper. Hungry today?” — to remind her it’s time to feed the hamper. The idea is to have something about the environment trigger the new behavior.

• There’s no magic habit fairy. New habits don’t stop the old ones from existing. Just make sure the new way becomes a stronger influence on behavior. Breaking an old habit is hard. Stay positive and stay consistent.

• Keep up the good work. It can take much longer than you think to form a habit, so keep an eye out for old habits that try to sneak back in. Nip it in the bud and get back on track. Over time the new behavior will require less effort.

Teaching your kids or yourself a new habit is a great way to get 2018 off to a healthy, happy start.