Apply the “Healthy Monday Refresh” Concept to Place Your Goals Within Reach

For many, the new year is a time to reflect, reassess and plan for a better, brighter future. Many people have made a list of goals, objectives and aspirations for the year. But the sad reality is that most of us will give-up on our resolutions after only a few weeks. What is your plan for increasing your likelihood of success?  Here is an evidence-based suggestion that can help you start or recommit to good health each and every week. 

The Healthy Monday Reset
The key to health-related behavior change is to create healthy habits that can be sustained over time. A growing body of evidence suggests that healthy thinking and behavior is synchronized with the week, with Monday being the day people are most “open to buy” health. Using this “Monday effect” (or health cue) can be a powerful tool to help stay on track with health goals. The Healthy Monday Reset is all about setting intentions at the beginning of the week and recommitting to them every Monday. Setting long-term goals and breaking them into smaller, more manageable steps at the start of each week increases the likelihood of developing lasting healthy habits. And if you slip up, you can refresh your efforts the following Monday.

Please take two minutes and watch this video that describes the Monday Campaigns Healthy Monday Reset Concept.

NOVA’s Monday Campaign
During the fall semester, NOVA participated in the Move It Monday campaign with a focus on increasing movement to benefit physical and emotional wellbeing. For the spring semester, we expanded NOVA’s Monday Campaign to include an increased emphasis on emotional wellbeing and nutrition. You are free to explore all the Monday Campaigns resources as time and interest allow. But to support your efforts, the NOVA Monday Campaign will again be customized to match the focus of our NOVA community. On Monday mornings, throughout the spring semester, look for tips and resources in the Daily Flyer. To jump start your week, reset the way you look at Mondays. Please join this exciting journey facilitated by your CWO.  Embrace the chance to start or recommit to good health habits each and every Monday. 

For more on building healthy habits, please check out these two recommendations:  Atomic Habits and Tiny Habits.

Submitted by:
Dahlia Henry-Tett, HR-Chief Wellness Officer (CWO), DHTett@nvcc.edu