Have you ever noticed you seem to be becoming a slight more obsessed with biting your nails? Or indulging in sweets when you find yourself anxious? Or not being able to resist that next episode of Game of Thrones instead of completing your homework?
These my friends, are called bad habits. We are all guilty of them, I know I am. We tell ourselves the “next time” we won’t, but we do. I’ve found a few solutions to the bad habits we’re working so desperately to not partake in anymore:
1. Recognize It
Recognize the activity that has turned into a cycle that you continuously find yourself in once again. It’s the thing you’ll find yourself saying “I said I wouldn’t do this the LAST time!”
In order to make a change, you must first recognize the issue. If it’s something leading you to negativity in any aspect of your life, it’s gotta go.
2. Find The Root
Whether it’s stress or boredom, you must find out why you do this action that has become a habit. If you find it to be a coping mechanism and it’s something you know isn’t good for you, you have to make a change. There are different ways to handle things, and by resorting to this thing that you consciously know isn’t right, you’re adding more harm than good to your life.
3. Replace It
This is much easier said than done, but, replace your bad habits! If you find yourself grabbing that gallon of ice cream from the freezer when you feel anxious, why not call up a friend or open that book you’ve promised yourself you’d start reading. Instead of clenching your jaw or biting your nails out of nervousness, why not take a piece of gum and chew it to prevent yourself from falling into the trap. There are many ways to replace these bad habits, you just have to have the strength to want to make a change for the better.
4. Do Away With The Triggers
If you find yourself eating the whole Oreo box at your house, then you must simply not buy Oreos. If you find yourself anxious when in a certain environment of people, don’t place yourself there. If you find yourself binging on Netflix after class instead of homework, hide the remote to your TV or laptop (if you don’t need for homework.) Make it EASIER for yourself to steer away from these little monsters of a bad habit!
Slowly but surely, you will see improvement in your life. You’ll eventually forget about the habit and it may not even cross your mind again! The purpose to eliminating bad habits is to replace them with better ones that may even bring to surface new passions or experiences! Never stop working to improve YOU…you are your #1 priority!
Xoxo,
Bri