So you don’t know how to go about breaking bad habits. I feel that girl.
Lucky for you, I have a little something-something that’s right up your alley. But before I share, let’s talk about habits.
We have good habits, bad habits, and then we have just really annoying habits that can make people want to rip their hair out. It’s somethign we all share with each other.
Good habits are just how they sound: GOOD. They make your life easier, they can make you healthier, or even make you happier! There is so much good that comes from breaking bad habits and creating newer and better ones!
Here’s the insanely simple guide to breaking bad habits
- identify and understand your habit
- replace the routine
- figure out the reward you are actually craving
- strong support system
Identify and understand your habit.
Why does your bad habit exist?
Habit consists of 3 super basic components:
- Your triggers or cues- time, location, environment
- Your routine – the habit
- The Reward – feeling, external things
The cue is the thing that triggers the habit in your mind. For example, if you are addicted to caffeine, getting a splitting headache if you didn’t consume enough.
The routine is merely the action of habit, like kicking off your shoes when you get home from work or powering up your TV console to play some video games.
The reward is exactly what it sounds like: the reward for your behavior.
One of the things you need to do is ask yourself some questions:
- What are your triggers?
- Where do you notice these triggers the most?
- How does this habit make you feel??
In order to move on and heal, you need to dig to the bottom of your bad habit!
Replace the Routine
In order to move on and heal, you need to dig to the bottom of your bad habit!
It’s nearly impossible to completely remove a bad habit altogether.
So, instead of trying to completely eliminate your bad habit, REPLACE IT!
For example, if I am craving soda, I replace it with drinks like Zevia or La Croix.
These alternatives have no calories or added sugars. I can, therefore, combat my cravings by replacing the soda with a healthier but similar beverage.
Over time, your brain will become accustomed to this new habit as a replacement for your old habit.
ALSO, it is important to remember that it is better to get accustomed to a new and improved habit rather than trying to go cold turkey on your old habit.
When you are pressuring yourself to STOP something or QUIT something, you’re going to think about it more and more.
And then what happens? You go right back to old habits.
This isn’t to say that forming a new habit is easy, It takes time and you need to
- prepare and plan
- Be committed
- Put in effort
Figure out the reward you are ACTUALLY craving
TREAT YO SELF GIRLFRIAND!!
One of the main reasons you are addicted to the rewards you get from them!
Sometimes this reward is obscure and hard to uncover.
In order to put an end to a bad habit, you’re going to have to stop enjoying the reward you receive whenever you do it.
I know this is anything but easy, but hear me out.
When you switch up your routine, the reward you get is not going to be the same. You need to replace this old reward with something new.
The bottom line: KNOW YOURSELF. Figure out what reward you’re actually looking for, and then learn how to replace it with healthier behavior.
Strong Support System
Believe it or not, it will be easier to fight your habit if you let others close to you HELP YOU.
Let your friends and family members know about your motivation to change a habit you have.
Having a support system is more important than you could ever know. When I was undereating and counting my calories like crazy, I was lucky enough to have my mom and sister who realized the path I was going down.
I had friends at school who stopped to show their concerns about my eating habits.
I may not have wanted to hear it at the time, but when I decided I wanted to live a healthy life, I turned to these people for guidance.
Without them, I wouldn’t have been strong enough to alter my mindset. Being very positive people, it is a blessing I had my mom and sister by my side.
They helped me find my best self and my happiness.
BYE BYE BYE . (Bad habits)
Okay, gals. I have one song running in my mind right now besides NSYNC’s “Bye Bye Bye”, and it goes out to all my Ariana Grande fans out there. If this is not you, then I’m sorry but…
🎶”BREAK UP WITH YOUR GIRLFRIEND CUZ IM BORED”🎶
This is basically what you need to do to those bad habits! Kick them to the curb and say THANK U NEXT to them.
* insert hair toss here*
It’s time you break up with them for good!!
But remember, you need to first identify the components of your habit!! This includes your triggers, routine, and your rewards!
Try and find different, healthier alternatives to any bad habits you may have.
So there you have it! The Insanely Simple Guide to Breaking Bad Habits!
Still looking to better yourself?? Check out 5 Self-Love Tips You Need to Practice
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