8 Ways to Remember to Take Your Vitamins
You've done your research, found the JSHealth formulas suited to your own needs and goals, got your bottles of vitamin gold...now all that's left to do is the easy part, right? Yes, we mean remembering to take them everyday!
We know that it’s not always easy to get into a new health routine right off the bat. Sometimes, making the habit of popping your vitamins on the regular can be tricky, especially if you have a busy lifestyle. That’s why we’ve taken the guesswork out of crafting your vitamin protocol — here are eight tried-and-tested tips to make it a part of your daily routine with ease!
Tips for Building New Habits
Starting a new habit, like taking your daily vitamins, can be challenging. As creatures of habit, it can take some effort to incorporate something new into our routine.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Check out some of these proven methods to help you form a healthy habit of taking your vitamins every day — here’s to a healthier, happier you!
SETTING AN ALARM
Many people overcomplicate things when they try to incorporate a new habit, but sometimes going back to the basics is the best solution. One reliable method healthcare professionals and others often use to set reminders are preset alarms or notifications. These can either be a phone alarm, reminder app or even a standalone alarm clock.
Having a reminder go off at the same time each day will help you become consistent with your vitamins! We use the Vitamin Reminder function in the new and improved JSHealth App - it makes it SO simple!
PLACING THEM NEXT TO YOUR BREAKFAST
Another helpful tip is to try and use your existing habits in your daily routine to your advantage. Most people start their day with a cup of coffee and breakfast. Placing your vitamin bottle next to the coffee maker or where you make breakfast can help you to remember to take them.
This tip is particularly helpful as many multivitamins and supplements require you to take them with food to help aid digestion. Put your vitamins next to your oats, carton of eggs, smoothie blender or coffee maker. Pick a spot that is in plain sight every morning, so when you see them you will be reminded to take them.
Pro tip: supplements like JSHEalth’s Collagen Beauty Creamer can be added straight into your morning cup of coffee. By adding collagen in to your morning caffeine fix, you can create a new daily ritual that benefits both your taste buds and your health.
TAKING VITAMINS WITH YOUR MEALS
Making a habit of taking your vitamins can be tough, especially if you’re not a breakfast person or have a hectic morning routine. But don’t worry, there’s still hope! You can use your meals as a cue to remember to take your daily dose. By doing this consistently, you’ll start to form a habit and associate taking vitamins with eating. And before you know it, taking your vitamins will become second nature.
If you pack your lunch the night before or in the morning before you head off for the day, just pop your vitamins in a small container in your lunch box. As you pack your lunch, it can be easy enough to pack your vitamin C, vitamin D, multi-vitamin supplement or whatever type of supplement you are taking into your lunch box.
This way, they’ll be right in front of you so you can take one when you’ve finished eating. You can even add a cheeky sticky note that says something like” Vitamins for dessert?” to make the whole experience more fun and memorable.
KEEPING THEM IN YOUR HANDBAG OR ON YOUR DESK
With busy schedules, it’s easy to forget things, like taking your vitamins. Here’s a simple trick to make sure you never miss a day — keep them on you! Whether it’s stashing your vitamin bottles in your bag, or hiding them in the third drawer of your desk, putting them in a high-traffic spot will act as a constant reminder to take them.
Find what works for you, and watch as taking your vitamins becomes a natural part of your routine. This way, there’s no excuse – time for a healthier, happier you!
USING A PILL-ORGANIZING CONTAINER
Keeping track of pills is a tale as old as time, and this is why many people opt for a pillbox to improve adherence. A pillbox is a box that generally has seven different compartments that signify the days of the week.
At the start of each week, sort your supplements into the container’s individual compartments. This way, all your daily vitamins will be ready to swallow, and you won’t have to open each bottle. We love life hacks for simplicity!
A pill organizer not only helps to streamline your daily routine but also can help to keep track of whether you took them or not. If it's ever a question whether or not you took them, simply look at your pill container and see whether the compartment for today is empty to get your answer.
Pill organizers also offer a great way to stay on top of your vitamins as you travel. When you get out of your normal routine, it can be easy to become complacent and forget to take your vitamins. A pillbox is small and portable enough to take on your trip to help you stay consistent with your intake.
PURCHASING ANOTHER BOTTLE
How often have you left your vitamins at home, only to realize you’ll be out for the rest of the day? One solution is to create a backup system to ensure consistency. Keeping one bottle of vitamins at home and another at work or in your bag can be a lifesaver when you’re pressed for time or forgetful. This may seem like an over-the-top measure, but it’s a great way to build redundancy into your routine to ensure you never miss a dose.
Plus, having a spare bottle means you won’t have to worry about running out of your main supply. With this strategy, vitamin inundation can be your secret weapon for staying on track with your health goals.
HAVING SOMEONE REMIND YOU
You’re not alone if you struggle to make new habits, like taking your vitamins, stick. That’s why having a support system can be extremely helpful in keeping you accountable. Consider asking someone close to you, like a partner or family member, to help remind you to take your vitamins. This can be as simple as sending a text or a verbal reminder, and you can even return the favor and help them stick to their own goals.
If you prefer more structured support, you might consider hiring an accountability coach or working with a professional who can help you stay motivated and on track. By enlisting the help of others, you can build a community of support that can help you stay consistent in keeping your healthy habits strong.
Incorporate It Into Your Self-Care Routine
Each time you take a vitamin or multivitamin, you’re taking a small step towards supporting your overall health. Why not pair it with other self-care actions you do on a regular basis? This can be as simple as placing your supplements right next to your toothbrush or in your skincare product collection.
This tip can not only help get you to take your vitamins regularly, but it can also force you to take more time for yourself and self-care, making health a habitual practice.
Bottom Line
Taking vitamins and supplements can be a beneficial addition to a healthy lifestyle, but sometimes it's difficult to remember to take them regularly to reap their benefits fully. Starting a vitamin or supplement is like any other habit, as it will take time to fully engrain it into your everyday life.
Hopefully, with these eight road-tested tips, you can make taking your vitamins a regular part of your daily routine. Missteps happen, and it is important to be kind to yourself. If you put in the effort, you won’t even have to think about it.
Sources:
Making health habitual: the psychology of ‘habit-formation’ and general practice | NCBI