Establishing routines is crucial for individuals like myself who often find themselves overwhelmed by distractions and external influences. While traveling, however, staying on track with tasks can be challenging.
Recently, I found myself falling behind on my favorite nerd-related activities during a trip. Determined to catch up on my shows and podcasts while maintaining my workout routine, I recalled a valuable habit-building technique I had learned about years ago: Temptation Bundling.
This technique involves combining a necessary activity with a desired one. For example, only allowing yourself to indulge in entertainment like watching a TV show while engaging in physical exercise.
Research by Professor Katy Milkman showed that people who linked listening to audiobooks exclusively with exercise visited the gym significantly more often compared to those who were simply advised to work out more.
With this in mind, I designated watching my favorite show as a reward for walking, ensuring that I stayed active while enjoying my downtime. As a result, I found myself putting in extra effort during workouts to finish podcast episodes and going the extra mile to complete an episode on the treadmill.
The synergy of incorporating my nerdy interests with fitness activities proved to be a successful motivator, allowing me to efficiently balance leisure and wellness.
For more insights on Temptation Bundling and to explore its benefits, check out the full article. Give this technique a try and share your experience with me!
-Steve
