Create Lasting Lifestyle Change

When you’re ready to make a lifestyle change, it can be tempting to try a quick fix or think you can rely on willpower alone to achieve your goal. And while you may start your change in this way with great enthusiasm, it’s not uncommon to find yourself reverting to old patterns within weeks or months.
If you want your lifestyle change to be lasting, you need a different approach. Sustainable change requires four key components: 1) understanding your purpose; 2) cultivating a growth mindset; 3) developing consistent small habits; and 4) finding supportive holistic wellness practices.
With these four components as well as patience and self-compassion, lifestyle changes become less of a daunting challenge and more of an enriching journey towards long-term well-being.
1. Understand Your Purpose
The foundation of any sustainable lifestyle change lies in having a clear purpose. You must first know why you want the change you’re seeking before you can be successful in achieving it. Otherwise, it becomes easy to abandon new habits when faced with challenges. Identifying a compelling reason for change helps build the resilience necessary to face common obstacles.
You can find your purpose by asking yourself deep, reflective questions such as “What do I truly value?” Connecting your lifestyle changes to your purpose fosters commitment. For instance, rather than aiming to “lose weight,” one might frame the purpose as “becoming healthier to have more energy and longevity for my family.” This shift in thinking makes your desired outcome more personal and meaningful, and therefore more likely to be sustainable.
2. Cultivate a Growth Mindset
A growth mindset—the belief that abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort and learning—is essential for sustainable change. Challenges and setbacks are inevitable, but those with a growth mindset view them as opportunities for learning rather than failures. Instead of thinking, “I failed at this diet, so I’ll never be healthy,” someone with a growth mindset would say, “This approach didn’t work for me, so I’ll adjust and try again.”
A growth mindset encourages you to put in the necessary effort to make a change—because you believe it can happen. By embracing challenges, persisting even when it’s hard, and being kind to yourself along the way, you can develop the mindset you need to make lasting change.
3. Start with Small Changes
Many individuals set ambitious goals but struggle with follow-through because they attempt drastic changes all at once. Instead, the key to long-term success lies in consistency with small, manageable habits.
James Clear, in his book Atomic Habits, emphasizes that small, incremental changes—when repeated consistently—yield significant results over time. For example, instead of committing to an hour-long workout daily, starting with just 10 minutes a day can create a habit that eventually grows.
Also, habit stacking—linking new habits to existing ones—can be an effective method for habit formation. For example, doing squats while waiting for your morning coffee to brew. This technique helps reinforce consistency by developing a new habit on the back of an old one.
Tracking progress can also be a helpful tool when trying to develop a new habit. Tracking—through journaling, habit-tracking apps, or simply marking days on a calendar—reinforces habits by providing a sense of accomplishment. Rewarding oneself for progress—whether through a self-care activity or small celebration—further encourages persistence.
Finally, accountability plays a significant role in consistency. Whether it’s a friend, mentor, or healthcare practitioner, having someone to share progress with builds motivation and adherence to new habits.
4. Discover Supportive Holistic Wellness Practices
Perhaps the most important part of embedding true lifestyle change is finding the right holistic wellness practices to support your change. At Nature’s Link Wellness, Dr. Kristine Devillier has been helping people discover the natural health practices they need to make sustainable changes in their lives for more than 20 years. Dr. Devillier is a mind/body mentor, board-certified naturopath, and master herbalist who, with her team, offers well-rounded solutions that address physical, mental, and emotional well-being to achieve sustainable transformation. Some of the offerings at Nature’s Link include:
- Mind/Body Coaching: a holistic method for addressing chronic pain, fatigue, stress, anxiety, and other health and lifestyle concerns
- Herbal and Nutritional Support: education and solutions to support good health, natural healing, and disease prevention
- Detoxification and Cleansing: specialized treatments that support the body’s natural detox pathways
Collaborate with Experienced Natural Wellness Practitioners
If you’re ready to learn more about making sustainable lifestyle changes, the team at Nature’s Link Wellness can help. They will assess your current lifestyle routines and help you make positive changes for your overall health. To set up your natural health consultation, call Nature’s Link on 337-332-2705 or reach us online. Nature’s Link Wellness Center is a top choice for lifestyle change in Breaux Bridge, Lafayette, or Acadiana, Louisiana.