Breaking Bad Habits

Do you have habits that you want to get rid of? Some habits threaten your health or make your life harder, so why don’t you give them up? For example, are you a game addict? Can you not stop biting your nails or not pass a day without eating chocolate? There are two common reasons why bad habits are formed. They are stress and boredom, so it is highly recommended that you try to understand the reasons behind your stress and boredom. Then try to replace the bad habit with a healthier one, as just trying to give up rarely works.

Decide on what you will do instead of that bad habit. Stay away from triggers. Change your environment and break the bad routine that leads you to the bad habit. For example, if you are addicted to junk food and you often feel like eating something sweet like chocolate or cookies, prepare some healthy snacks such as raisins, dates, figs or nuts and keep them available in your bag all the time. When your chocolate crisis starts, have the healthy snacks instead. Cut out as many triggers as possible. If your bad habit is eating too many cookies, stop buying them and throw away the ones you already have at home. If the first thing you do when you sit on the couch is pick up the TV remote, then hide the remote in a closet in a different room. Make it easier on yourself to break bad habits by avoiding the things that cause them. Join forces with (a) friend(s). It is quite motivating to have a partner supporting you and sharing the same feelings as you. Try to be with people who live the way you want to live.

Imagine how your life will change positively when you stop that bad habit and use the word “but” to overcome negative self–talk. For instance,“I’m fat and out of shape, but I could be in shape a few months from now.” Keep in mind that you might fall out of your healthy routine every now and then. Remember, this doesn’t make you a bad person. We are all human. You just need to get back on the right track as soon as possible.