It’s not uncommon to struggle with a bad habit. Whether it was found during a time when you had nothing else to turn to or due to a social circle, a bad habit can be a tricky thing to shake off. Once a habit starts, it becomes a part of you.
You begin to practice this habit without thinking about it first. It’s embedded into your lifestyle, making it difficult to quit. No matter what your bad habit is, we’re here to help.
Knowing how to quit bad habits starts with the right positive action and steps. It’s also important to note that breaking these bad habits will take time and patience, but is possible when following the helpful steps listed in the guide below. Continue reading to learn more and finally break the cycle.
Know Your Triggers
Before you can begin to break bad habits, you must first understand what your triggers are. What causes you to fall into this habit? Once you identify your triggers, you can begin to move past your bad habits.
To determine what your triggers are, start by spending a few days keeping track of any patterns surrounding your habits. Keep a journal or notebook with you for notetaking. Some things to take note of about your bad habits are the following:
- Where you’re at when engaging in your bad habits
- The time of day when you’re triggered
- Other people surrounding you
- How you feel during this time
- Other events happening directly before or after
Taking these notes will help you determine what your triggers are so you can then work on removing these triggers before quitting your bad habits. For example, if you want to stop eating late at night, but learn that you watch television for several hours before eating, then you might consider removing the TV from the situation. Keep it off until after you eat to prevent eating too late at night.
Consider Alternative Options
When your life’s consumed by a bad habit, it’s not easy to go cold turkey. In some instances, it could be best to replace this bad habit with a safer and more ideal alternative. For example, many people who want to quit smoking turn to chewing gum or eating sunflower seeds to help them quit.
If you want to stop smoking weed cold turkey, then a great alternative would be non-intoxicating cannabinoids such as CBD or CBG. If you’re struggling with a specific bad habit, then it’s ideal to speak with a professional about alternative options that could make weaning off the bad habit easier.
Create Goals For Yourself
Know what your goals are and then write them down. Write your goals down in a place where you can look at them each and every day. Having the willpower to resist immediate gratification for long-term gratification isn’t always easy.
However, when you know what your specific goals are, it helps you get one step closer to doing so. Start by creating a list of all your long-term goals for yourself and your daily habits. Then, determine what small steps you can take to get there.
Trying to leap to the end might not get you the best results, but when you take it one small step at a time, you could get there faster than you know and with success. If there’s too much on your plate or other things stopping you from putting your goals first, then it’s time to prioritize.
Get Enough Sleep Each Night
When you don’t get enough rest each night, you’re tired during the day and even irritable. Without proper sleep, you sacrifice your mental and physical health. You then make decisions you may not have made if you had enough sleep and were in the right state of mind.
Try to get at least 8 hours of sleep each night to ensure you wake up every morning feeling refreshed and energized. If you have trouble sleeping at night, then this could be due to other bad habits affecting your nightly routine. You can establish a good bedtime routine by always getting in bed and waking up in the morning at the same time.
You should also turn off all electronic devices at least 30 minutes before bed and only use your room as a place for relaxation and rest (don’t bring your work into the bedroom).
Practice Meditation
Meditation is a wonderful way to relax the mind by focusing on the present moment. Through meditation, you learn deep breathing exercises and self-awareness. During meditation as you breathe in and out, you’ll pay close attention to how your breath feels as it enters your nostrils and fills your lungs.
You then notice how it feels as it leaves your lungs and exits your body back through your nostrils. During this time, you’ll also focus on each part of your body and how it feels at that very moment. This teaches you to focus on only the things that matter at that moment.
Meditation is a great way to relax your mind, body, and spirit when feeling triggered.
You Can Learn How to Quit Bad Habits Today
Finding yourself a victim of a bad habit is less than ideal, but it’s nothing you can’t overcome. Use all of these helpful tips listed above to learn how to quit bad habits today. The journey to a life free of bad habits may take some time, but when you stay consistent and motivated, you’re sure to reach your goals.
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