Almost everyone has a habit that they do not like. One person may think they consume too much caffeine, while another person may bite her fingernails when nervous. The term “bad habit” is subjective. What you feel is a bad habit someone else may think is perfectly fine. If you find yourself wanting to work through what you consider a bad habit, remember that your mind and body react to things differently from those around you. Take in the tips and suggestions from your support system, but ultimately take the time to discover what works for you. Here are a few suggestions to get you going as you face a pesky bad habit in your life.
Change Your Habit Loop
Sometimes our routine can make breaking a habit more difficult. For some of us, we do things in a certain order after waking up, on a break, or before work or class. If you find yourself struggling with a habit because it is so ingrained in your routine, try shaking up your routine. Do the steps in a new order, without the habit you want to change. Soon that will become your new routine.
Use Small Steps
Going cold turkey on a bad habit is difficult. Not many can achieve such a jump. Determine your goal, then create steps towards it. Small steps can help to alleviate the stress or anxiety that may come with breaking a habit.
Track Your Progress
Take time to track your progress. This can help to keep you accountable and working towards your goal. Tracking your progress can also help you to realize how far you have come and how great you are doing. We all face times where we feel discouraged or incapable of reaching our goals. When we can look back and see how far we have come, that can motivate us to keep going.
Acknowledging you want to change a habit is a great first step. Everyone is unique and will need to take different steps to change their thought process and habits. Some people may want to change routines, while others may want to use small steps towards their larger goal. If you find yourself struggling with your mental health, addiction, or past trauma, changing or working on a habit may seem overwhelming. Here at The Guest House, we know that many people need support. We are here to support and help you gain the skills and tools you need to work towards your goals. Call us today to learn more about how we can help at (855) 483-7800.