Not all habits are bad. There are some that actually give good results in the long run. However, bad habits are a different story. It’s something that you keep on doing but is not giving you any positive impact at all.
Bad habits break you. It’s one of the reasons why some people are unable to move forward to a happier and healthier life. Our bad habits are like huge walls that hinder us from reaching more milestones in our lives. It also changes the way we think and sees ourselves.
How To Easily Let Go Of A Bad Habit?
In this article, we will help you move forward by taking the first steps in quitting your bad habit. May it be an emotional investment, a series of a bad decisions, or simple vices you cannot let go of. This article will give you guidelines on how to take the leap to a brighter life.
1. Know your alternatives
Every bad habit has an alternative good habit that will enable you to move forward. For instance, if you are used to smoking cigarettes all the time, you can consider getting a vape nicotine prescription in Australia as an alternative. It’s the best solution to slowly transitioning your bad habit to the good one, instead of abruptly stopping it. Another example is if you have bad habits of staying awake late at night. Instead of going out and partying, you can consider using that time to clean the house or do freelance work instead. You’ll not just earn additional income but you’ll also change a bad habit, without altering too much in your lifestyle.
2. Understanding what triggers you
One of the most important things that you need to do is to identify your triggers. Take a hard look at your bad habits and consider why you’re doing them. Once you identify these triggers, it’s time to understand how this activity becomes habitual. From there, you can slowly give it up or minimize them until such time that you will get used to not doing it anymore. For instance, if you have a bad habit of waking up late in the morning, think of your sleeping patterns and slowly adjust them until you are more comfortable waking up early.
3. Set a goal to change
Just like in any other type of change, it will all start by setting up a goal and sticking to it. This method is pretty much like when you’re playing sports. Your ultimate goal is to win and you have to set your eyes, and priorities, straight to winning. In letting go of your bad habits, discipline is the greatest key to ensuring that you will never have a detour to doing these things.
4. Talk to your support group
Opening up to other people may not be as easy as everyone else. However, this is one of the most important things to let go of your bad habit. It will all start by accepting that there is something wrong with the situation and being honest about it, especially to your family and friends. Once they are aware that you are letting go of this bad habit, they can even help you move forward a lot easier.
5. Remind yourself all the time
Notepads, sticky notes, cell phone wallpaper, and more reminders. You may be using these techniques to help you remember your next meeting, your pending tasks, and your to-do notes. You can also use the same technique to remind yourself every day about the bad habits that you should let go of. As much as possible, put reminders on locations and items that you often use. It can be pinned on your refrigerator door or it can be on the corkboard in your work area. Put it in places that you see every single day.
6. Be ready for a relapse
No matter how much to resent it, bad habits will always find their way back. Having one setback is okay. You may have missed doing it or you just want to feel the pleasure again. However, you have to be very mindful of your every action. Relapse can do more than just remembering what you used to love. It can bring you back to doing all these bad habits again. The best way to prepare for relapse is to avoid depriving yourself. Going back to smoking cigarettes, doing cold turkey may not be ideal, especially if you have been smoking for a long time. It’s best to start small until you reach your goal.
7. Reconsider your environment
The last thing that you should consider, and the biggest factor is your environment – where you go, who you hang out with, and what you always do. These things have strong contributions to both your good and bad habit. Once you have identified your triggers, it’s best to analyze as well if your triggers are coming from these environments. If so, it’s best to consider changing your environment to something or someone that will lead you to a better life.
Letting go of your bad habits will open the door to more opportunities and successes. Do not think twice and start all these easy steps today! You’ll live a better life and a better future.