Have you heard of habit stacking? It’s a goal-making method that helps you develop new
healthy habits by “stacking” them onto existing habits.
A simple place to start is with your daily brushing routine. Why? Brushing your teeth is often
called a “keystone habit,” meaning you can easily add more habits on to it. Here are a few
ways to use your brushing routine to create even more healthy habits.
Habit Stacking for Your Daily Brushing Routine:
Want to meditate more? Take a moment while brushing to let your mind rest and focus on
your breathing.
Want to improve your skin? Incorporate your skin care routine around the times you brush
your teeth.
Want to read more? While brushing your teeth for the dentist-recommended two minutes, try
reading a few pages of a book, or listen to an audiobook.
Want to be more mindful? Practice hyper focusing on how the bristles of your toothbrush as
they move across your teeth to help you be more present in the moment.
Want to stay up to date on current events? Scroll or listen to the major headlines during the
two minutes while brushing your teeth.
Want to be more positive? Make a list of the things you are grateful for and post them on
your bathroom mirror. Then, read them while you brush.
Want to practice more self-care? Add a few extra minutes to your oral care routine to apply a
face mask or enjoy a little aromatherapy.
By breaking down a goal into smaller steps, microsteps and stacking them onto habits you
already have (habit stacking), you can transform your daily routines into goal-achieving
activities.
Create a Habit Tracker:
Habit stacking is a great way to work toward your goals, but it’s also important to track your
progress — how else will you know when you’ve succeeded? Consider making a habit
tracker.
Whether it’s a sticker chart or more of a spreadsheet, what’s most important is to find a
solution that helps you visualize your progress. If a physical chart to track habits isn’t your
thing, try developing a spreadsheet online where you can track your ups and downs as you
move toward success
