8 Tips to Help You Quit a Bad Habit
With the new year just around the corner, it’s time for the whole ‘New Year, new me‘ mentality. But this time, we’re taking it seriously! One common resolution that many people have is wanting to overcome some sort of negative habit. That’s why we’re giving a few friendly tips on how to overcome them.
We understand that overcoming a bad habit can be a difficult battle with many physical and psychological obstacles in the way. This article is by no means meant to preach or undermine the difficulty of battling addiction or overcoming a bad habit, nor is it written by a mental health professional. They’re just a few tips that we’ve accumulated from past experiences.
Admit it’s a problem
Admitting you have a problem is the first step toward recovery. Denial isn’t going to get you any closer to your goal. Once you realize that you have a habit that needs to be broken, then you’re already on the right path.
Track your habit
The habit can be anything from smoking, to eating junk food, but it can also be something as simple as procrastination. It’s important to track your habit. This isn’t done so you can shame yourself or anything, it’s so you can evaluate how big of a problem it is and can therefore determine how much work you need to put in in order to solve it.
Think about what causes your bad habit.
Dig deep. What motivates your habit? Is it a fear of rejection? Are you trying to escape something? Whatever it is, it’s crucial to acknowledge what the root of the problem is since it helps you better understand the problem.
Do it gradually
Rome wasn’t built in a day and you’re not going to solve all of your problems in a day either. Baby steps are key. If you stop your habit suddenly, you’re more likely to relapse. Make a plan, and stick to it
Distract yourself
Having a good mindset can definitely be helpful. Maybe start exercising more and eating healthier. You could even pick up a new hobby. Being in a good place makes it much easier to focus and stay motivated. Developing good habits to replace old negative ones is also a good way to distract yourself.
Find alternatives
You could also find something that gives you a similar feeling but without the negative side effects. If your habit is chewing your nails, for example, you could try chewing gum instead.
Pair up with someone
Find someone in a similar situation to yours. They’ll understand your mindset and you can work on motivating each other. It’s important, however, not to get dependent and to stay self-motivated.
Reward yourself
It’s important to acknowledge your progress and celebrate how far you’ve come. Treat yourself, do something you love.
WE SAID THIS: Don’t miss New Year, New Me
