Sometimes embracing a healthy lifestyle can feel like a solo endeavour and not always an easy one. But by involving other people and leaning into some of our most supportive relationships we can get the real joy of not only improving our health, but improving our relationships at the same time.

Spending time with our family or friends, whilst we take part in a healthy habit like a weekly walk or meet-up at yoga benefits our health and well-being on so many levels. Spending time with our ‘people’ can increase our sense of purpose, boost happiness and reduce stress levels. When you lean into this special bond to create healthy habits, this layer of accountability will help you make these habits become a natural part of your life. This then brings long-term benefit by reducing health risks like high blood pressure or depression.

In each relationship, we play a role – sometimes we are there to listen and provide support and other times we lean in to be on the supported end of a friendship. Choosing an accountability partner that already helps you lean into health, gratitude and focus on the positives is a great place to start.

It doesn’t need to take a big step to get started – you could start by suggesting a weekly meet up with your friend or family member. It’s also OK to do this at a distance – maybe you both take a yoga class on a Thursday night and check in with one another beforehand.

Here are some steps you can take to work towards your health goals together:

1. Identify your goals

Start by defining your personal goals. Whether it’s improving fitness, losing weight, eating healthier, or managing stress; having specific and realistic goals will ensure your efforts pay off.

2. Pick the right partner

Find someone who shares similar interests and health goals and is committed to achieving them. It could be a friend, family member, or work colleague or even someone you meet in a fitness class and connect with. If you don’t know someone, be open-minded about meeting the right person as you begin to take steps. Showing up to classes and activities is a great way to begin.

3. Make it fun, make it relevant

Choose activities that you both enjoy. Whether it’s trying new recipes, exploring different movement classes, or engaging in something like a pottery or painting class to reduce stress; making the journey fun increases the likelihood of long-term commitment.

4. Regular check-ins for support and encouragement

Schedule regular check-ins with your accountability buddy. This could be weekly and if you can, make it social! Meet up for a tea or at a local health-food cafe so you can discuss challenges, how you’re feeling, and make changes to the plan. Offer support and encouragement to your accountability partner, especially during challenging times. Having someone to share successes and setbacks with can be motivating. You might even find yourselves enjoying it so much you increase your goals to meet more regularly or find another friend who wants to join.

5. Celebrate achievements

Celebrate your progress and achievements, no matter how small. Positive reinforcement can motivate both you both to stay on track. This can be as simple as closing your eyes and taking a few deep breaths to practice gratitude (you prioritized your health, you feel brighter and more purposeful). You can also celebrate by adding a healthy reward to the mix – meet up on a weekend for a healthy juice or even better – celebrate your success by scheduling a retreat together and keep one another on track with classes and budget!

We want to help! Celebrate your commitment to your health and wellness and cultivate healthy, supportive friendships with our ‘Bring a Friend’ retreat weeks