Unwanted habits can disrupt your daily routine, keeping you from reaching your aspirations. So why do we still do them? And most importantly, is there anything you can do about it? They compromise your mental and physical well-being. Plus, they drain valuable time and energy that could be better spent on more fulfilling pursuits.
I've talked before about the science behind how habits form.
Now, let’s dive into practical ways to change them in everyday life. How can
you eliminate bad behaviors and adopt better ones? I don’t have all the
solutions, but here’s what I’ve discovered about breaking those pesky habits. What
fuels these bad habits? Usually, it boils down to stress and boredom.
Often, poor habits arise as a reaction to stress and
monotony. Whether it's nail-biting, impulsive shopping, weekend drinking, or
aimlessly browsing online, these behaviors can serve as easy escapes from
life's pressures and dull moments.
It doesn’t have to be this way. You can learn healthier ways
to tackle stress and boredom, replacing harmful habits in the process. Yet,
sometimes what seems like simple stress hides deeper issues. To truly change, you must reflect honestly:
Are there underlying fears or beliefs fueling your bad habits? Identifying these roots is essential for
overcoming them.
You don't just get rid of a bad habit; you swap it out. Every
habit, good or bad, serves a purpose in your life. They provide some form of benefit,
biological from substances or emotionally from unhealthy relationships. Often,
they're just easy ways to handle stress, like nail-biting or foot-tapping.
These "benefits" also apply to minor bad
habits. For instance, checking your
email first thing when you log in can create a false sense of connection. Yet,
it ultimately hampers productivity and heightens stress levels. The fear of
missing out keeps you trapped in this cycle, making it tough to break free from
these habits.
To truly break a bad habit, swap it for a healthier one that
meets the same need. For instance, if
you light up when stressed, find another stress relief method instead of just
quitting smoking. Simply stopping a bad habit often leaves unmet needs. Aim to
replace it with something positive for lasting change!
Strategies to Overcome Bad Habits:
Consider finding a positive replacement for your bad habit.
Plan ahead for moments of boredom or stress. Eliminate as many triggers as you
can. Adjusting your environment makes it easier to develop good habits. Team up
with someone who shares your goal. Together, you'll motivate and celebrate each
other's progress! Visualize your success daily; picture yourself thriving
without that old habit!
You don't have to reinvent yourself; just reconnect with
your former self. Bad habits don’t define you—remember, you've thrived without
them before. You can reclaim that healthier version of you! When negative thoughts arise, counter
them:
"I'm out of shape, but I could be fit again." "I'm struggling now, but I'm learning a
valuable skill. ##
Everyone slips up now and then. Missing a workout or
indulging in junk food doesn’t define you as a person; it just makes you human.
Instead of dwelling on mistakes, focus on bouncing back quickly. Start by
tracking when and how often your bad habits occur to cultivate awareness—this
is the first step toward change! Breaking habits takes time and persistence, so
don’t lose hope if progress feels slow.
Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty
years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content
sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Phoenix
University in Business Management, then a degree. Mass Communication and Cyber
Analysis from Ashford University, then on to Walden University for her master’s
in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently
studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology. Her work portfolio includes
coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime.
Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist in her spare
time, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, oil, pen and ink, Gouche, and pastels.
As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career,
Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using
history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 7 blogs that range from
art to life coaching, to food, to writing, Gardening, and opinion or history
pieces each week.
Bad Habits, Life Coach Consulting, Kilbride
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