Before we go, we’d like to briefly return to the idea of mindfulness in the context of lifestyle change.
We have advocated for mindfulness practices throughout the PowerME™ Vitality Program. But we’ve also said that with practice and repetition, your healthy behaviors will gradually become automatic and routine.
So, which is it?
Should you be mindful of everything?
Should you forget about mindfulness and just run on autopilot?
Think of it this way: mindfulness is a tool. It’s a skill that you can apply to any behavioral change effort.
In many ways, mindfulness is a barometer for your behavior—it lets you know how you’re doing.
But it’s also important to have healthy, automatic behaviors i.e., habits and routines.
So, you don’t need to be overly mindful about every behavior. It’s okay to brush your teeth on autopilot (we know we bring up brushing your teeth a lot—we hope you’re flossing as well).
Bottom line, willpower and other cognitive tools are precious resources. Good habits protect your cognitive resources for when you need them.
