How to Break a Bad Habit

Let’s face it, if it was easy to break bad habits then New Years Resolutions, 12 Step Programs, and many diet programs wouldn’t exist. But bad habits happen to the best of us and if you really want to break them, you can. Here’s how:

1. Be Aware of It

If you don’t realize you’re doing it, and that it might be a problem, you won’t make any changes. Are you excessively snacking? Chewing your nails? Having a (few) drinks after work? Once you are aware of it, try to figure out why you are doing it.

2. Track It

How bad is it, really? Keep a log book of every time you engage in the activity that you’re trying to curb, for about a week. What were you feeling or doing when you did it? This will make you even more aware not only of how often you’re falling into your bad habit, but also give some clarity to answer the “Why”.

Are you hungry? Bored? Anxious? Do you tend to do these things at the same time each day? Or with the same people? Are you using them as a means to an ends, such as to “unwind after a stressful day”?

Identifying the patterns can help you to avoid them and increase the chances of breaking your bad habits.

3. Find a Replacement

If you’ve been having a few drinks after work each night to de-stress, replace those drinks with a trip to the gym. It will help you blow off some steam, get you out of the environment where you’re likely to drink, and will have a positive side effect of getting in better shape.

If you’ve been prone to snacking, grab a glass of water instead. Nail biting? Chew some gum.

Once you are aware of the habit, when you do it, and why you do it, you’ll be better equipped to make the changes in your lifestyle to be healthier and happier.

If your bad habit involved misusing drugs or alcohol, you might have a problem with addiction. These types of bad habits are very hard to break without professional help. Please contact us today for assistance in quitting drug or alcohol use.