As we start getting closer to warmer weather, many people use this transition as a time to deep clean, reduce clutter, and take stock of what they have. It can also be a great time to reflect on your habits and how they’re supporting your overall health and wellness. Once you have established a healthy habit, it’s easy to get into the routine without being mindful of why you’re doing it. This isn’t to say that healthy habits and routines are a bad thing, but I want to encourage you to make sure you don’t get stuck in autopilot. Priorities and needs can change, so what has worked for us in the past may not be supporting us now. Getting into the habit of checking in with yourself allows you to fine-tune your routines and habits to make sure they support the best version of yourself even as you grow and change.

Here are some questions to ask yourself as you get started.

How have my needs and priorities changed? If you’ve had a recent change in your life, it’s quite possible priorities have shifted, including the priorities in your health and wellness. You may find that you need to focus on another area of wellbeing. For example, if you’re undergoing a major change at work you may find you need to focus more on stress relief and less on physical wellness for the time being.

Am I doing these things because I enjoy them or because I feel like I should? A lot of healthy behaviors have become things we feel like we should be doing, which then turns them into things we dread and force ourselves to accomplish. Don’t feel like you should run on a treadmill because it works for your friend or that you should keep following a diet that feels restrictive. Instead, make sure these behaviors are things that you like doing. If you enjoy them, you’re more likely to keep doing them and see a positive impact.

Am I feeling energized by what I’m doing? I tell my clients that their goals and the things they’re doing to support their health and wellbeing should make them feel excited and energized. If they’re not, why do them? If you don’t feel like your habits support the best version of yourself, it’s time to ask yourself why and start to rework them.

What do I need more of in my life? This last question can help you create new habits. Think of what else you need in your life to be able to show up as your best self. Then, start breaking that feeling down into behaviors. For example, if you need more calm in your life, you may think about setting up an evening routine helps you wind down and have a restful night’s sleep.

Whether you make big changes or just slightly alter your routines, periodically check in to make sure your habits support you and the life you want to live. If they don’t, don’t be afraid to try something different. Do you feel like you need some support as you work through these questions? Set up a health coaching session to talk about your current routines, your dreams for the future, and a plan to help get you there.

–Originally published Feb. 27, 2019