We live in a world where everyone seems to be doing the most. They’re getting work done, keeping their house clean, and seeing loved ones—all while taking time for self-care. It can be frustrating to see others “master” a balanced life, especially when you’re struggling to complete two tasks on your to-do list.

Of course, sometimes doing nothing can be productive, and we all know that what we see on social media isn’t always a reflection of reality. But if you’re struggling to find some time for yourself, you might just need to develop some strategies.

That’s where “habit stacking” comes in, a term coined by author SJ Scott in his 2014 book on the subject.

Habit stacking may seem like another cheesy self-improvement technique, but it might just be a psychological trick that helps you stick to your tasks in the long run. This strategy involves making a list of habits you already have (such as walking your dog or driving to work) that are already easy and routine for you, and adding new self-care methods to them.

Ready to try it yourself? Here’s how to make sure you stick to your stacking habit:

Start by picking a small new habit

This can include anything you wish to improve. It should be a self-care technique that makes you feel good, but not necessarily something you always have time for.

The key here is to start from as granular a point as possible. Let’s say you want to get some exercise in, but just writing “exercise” on your to-do list seems like a lofty goal. Instead, add an exercise move you want to master to the end of a habit you already do every day.

Write out a list of everyday habits you already do, then stack them together in a way that makes sense

Mentally review your daily routine and note the unconscious actions you do every day, such as brushing your teeth. Other options include getting up, making coffee, changing out of work clothes, or going to bed.

Listing these out on paper will help you realize the long list of possibilities and find the areas that work best for your day.

This could be meditating for a minute while you make coffee, doing a few yoga poses right after changing out of your work clothes, or journaling for five minutes after getting into bed.

For example, you can improve your health habits in a variety of ways by drinking a glass of water before and after your daily walk.

Build up these combinations slowly for most success

The ultimate goal here is to get your brain to automatically associate one habit with another, so it doesn’t happen overnight.

Also don’t try to do too much at once. Let’s say you have a variety of self-care habits you’d like to try, such as journaling and meditation. What you shouldn’t do is string all of these habits together or try all the combinations in one day—that’s “stacking.” Before you start meditating, make journaling a part of your daily routine.

Don’t be discouraged if it takes a long time. It’s a lifestyle change, so often people don’t see the results they want because they’re productive in one area but unproductive in another.

Also keep in mind that research shows multitasking can be inefficient and counterproductive, it’s not habit stacking, and it doesn’t help. Instead of trying to do these habits at the same time (can you brush your teeth while doing push-ups?), use one as a cue to start the next one.

Finally, make acknowledging your progress its own habit to stack

As you successfully achieve your larger goals of self-care, you must establish validation as a habit for yourself. Take some time to acknowledge the work you’ve done—whether it’s journaling before bed or doing push-ups after brushing your teeth. You can do this by writing it down, which often helps reinforce positive emotions.

Keep at it and you’ll find that prioritizing yourself is easier than you thought.