Habit Stacking: A Powerful Strategy for Success in Educator Wellness

Crystal Tomlinson
Aug 9, 2024
3 min read

Updated: Sep 30, 2024

Ok, so similar to micro-routines but more like you're hitching a ride with a friend on a road trip.

As educators and dedicated humans, our days are jam-packed with countless responsibilities, making it challenging to find time for new habits. Whether it's prioritizing ourselves, integrating new teaching strategies, or making connections with students, adding more to your already full plate can feel impossible. As an SEL Coach all these years, I've gathered many ways to respond to the all-to-familiar phrase "There's no time for that." But what if you could make habit formation almost effortless? That’s where habit stacking comes in.

The Brain Science Behind Habit Stacking:

Remember... understanding the "Why" can lead to more engagement in the process.

Our brains are wired to favor routine. Once a habit is established, it requires less mental energy. This frees up the space for more complex tasks. Habit stacking leverages this by linking up 🔗a new habit with an existing one. "Neural Coupling" is the name and adopting new habits is the game!😂 Think of it as piggybacking on your brain’s existing pathways. By attaching a new behavior to something you already do daily, you minimize the effort required to form a new habit, making it more likely to stick.

Try This Power Recipe

Scenarios: Realistic Options for Habit Stacking

These are some of my favorite examples. They helped me feel a lot better and also made me go "duh" a little, but that is part of the process.

1. Morning Routine Boost

Yes, I'm bringing up the morning again! Sorry for you non-morning people but it makes for great habit stacking because most of us already have set habits during this time.
While your coffee brews, take that time to practice deep breathing (mindfulness skeptics...this is for you). You could also set out a glass of water next to your coffee-making station if you are trying to increase hydration. Stackety - Stack - Stack!
You’re using the downtime during a routine task to focus on something that sets a positive vibe for the day.

2. Classroom Prep Rally

Stuck in the monotonous, always looking for ways to be more productive with this cycle?
Prep, organize, clean, and create while listening to an education podcast or your power playlist while you do it.
This habit stack turns a routine task into a learning opportunity, maximizing your time and keeping your mind engaged.

3. Posture Up!

Spending so much time on our computers leads to a lot of discomfort and hidden problems. I started feeling it big time and needed a change. Maybe you can relate. You know our students can. Hunch much?!
Every time you sit down to check emails, plan, or whatever, note your posture, roll your neck, roll your shoulders, and set the timer for 2 minutes. Try to stay focused on your posture while working or creating for that sprint.
This brain-body connection or link doesn't add anything new, it actually makes it easier for your brain to remember to do a posture check each time you sit down at your computer.

4. Bedtime Is Happening Tonight! For real though

Maybe you need healthier sleep patterns, want to read more, want ways to wind down at night, or want to journal but let me guess... you're too tired.
Pair one of your nighttime routines with reading a chapter from your book. For me, it was reading a chapter of a book right after I put on my moisturizer. ✅ ✅.
Linking the new habit to your existing bedtime routine helps your brain associate winding down with the new habit.

Habit stacking is like creating a domino effect for success. By building new habits onto ones you already have, you simplify the process and make it easier to integrate positive changes into your life. Especially during the hectic back-to-school season, habit stacking can be a game-changer in helping you stay on top of your goals without adding extra stress.