Having a hard time breaking your bad habits? These bad habits often grasp a firm hold over a person. You’ll feel like it’s impossible to break. It will take a lot of willpower and dedication to get out of it. Thankfully, we’re here to lighten the load by giving some advice. It’s time to start your habit-breaking adventure!
- Get to the root of the issue.
Let’s face it. These bad habits comfort us when we’re anxious, confused and heartbroken. It’s not good, but they function as comfort blankets in times of distress and emotional turmoil. Poor sleeping habits and diet are signs of stress that can take over our professional and personal lives. By looking at the habit’s stressors, we’re able to fully understand it, and target the root of the issue. It helps you combat all the bad behaviors.
- Explore the carrot and stick approach.
The “carrot and stick motivation” is a kind of motivational approach involving a carrot (symbolizing a reward for good, positive behavior), and a stick (a poor behavior’s negative consequence). This method can motivate you to break your bad habits by creating actionable goals in exchange of desirable rewards. It’s not just a Byzantine warfare. It’s also an effective habit-breaking approach with results.
Since childhood, we have been acquainted with a system of reward and punishment, in response to bad and good behaviors. Successfully broke the habit for a week? Reward yourself. If you fail, sanction yourself. The carrot and stick approach teaches your brain to recognize all the rewards of breaking bad habits. Of course, we’ll always choose carrots over sticks.
- Start an accountability journal.
Accountability is important when it comes to changing habits. This is the reason why we need to monitor our own behaviors through tracking and journaling. Learn how to use an accountability journal. A simple journal allows you to have a visual representation of your actions.
Are you familiar with fitness and habit trackers? When we record our diet, water consumption and other goals, we’re able to see different patterns. In what part did we fall short? Where did we excel? Once you spot your own performance and behavioral patterns, accountability will push you to do better the next day.
- Replace the bad habits with good ones.
The best approach to beat bad habits is to replace it with good ones. Start habits that benefit you spiritually, mentally and physically. If you love eating fast food meals, replace it with healthier dishes. Learn how to cook healthy, delicious food that will surely satisfy your cravings. Moreover, if you’re having a hard time quitting social media scrolling, try meditating or reading a good book. This will help you improve your mindset.
- Strengthen your support system.
Surround yourself with people who inspire and love you. If there is a need to look for new friends, please do so. While you’re considering the ones to include in your support system, it’s also crucial to think about those people you mustn’t include. The first ones on the “no” list should be those who, in the past, have proven to be unsupportive.
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