Your 8-Week HEALTHY HABITS Plan

We get it - the very word "habits" can bring flashbacks to when you felt as if you didn't have enough willpower. But it's not about that at all, experts say.

- STEFANI SASSOS, M.S., R.D.N.. and ALYSSA JUNG

"Habits are simply learned behaviors that repeat when paired with a contextual cue," explains licensed clinical psychologist Laura Athey-Lloyd, Psy.D., owner of Reflection Psychological Services in New York City. "Some habits, such as buckling our seat belt, are automatic. Others, like journaling, are more complex."

WEEK 1

Stay Hydrated

Every single cell in your body needs water to function-water helps keep joints lubricated, regulates body temperature, delivers nutrients to your cells, assists in digestion and organ function and supports your sleep, mood, cognition and more. Since a woman's body is about 55% water, you need to replenish your fluid stores frequently so all your systems can operate at their best. So how many glasses of H₂O do you need to down each day? It varies by person, and you can calculate your estimated quota by dividing your body weight in half-if you weigh 160 pounds, for instance, you'll need about 80 oz (10 cups).

STICKY HABIT TRICKS

MAKE IT OBVIOUS. Leave a 16-oz bottle by your alarm clock, and drink it first thing to help rehydrate your body after a night's sleep. Then fill a pitcher of water and keep it in the fridge so you'll have a visual cue for how much to drink for the day.

MAKE IT ATTRACTIVE. Buy a pretty, leakproof water bottle that you take with you everywhere, and consider keeping one in your car and at your desk to ensure that you're never without water. When drinking from a glass, infuse water with mint and your favorite sliced citrus or add a splash of fruit juice to seltzer water.

MAKE IT EASY