How To Conquer Bad Habits in 5 Steps

We all have vices. There are habits we pick up that seem almost impossible to break. However, anything is possible if you have the determination and willpower to cut something out of your life.

The sense of pride and achievement you can feel simply by sticking to your own rules is wonderful.

Look at these simple ideas for conquering bad habits and taking control of your life. It will all be worth it when you look back at just how far you’ve come!

An effective process for conquering bad habits:

1. Identify your problem.

Acceptance is key when it comes to breaking bad habits.

* Identify what your habit is, why you indulge in it, and the benefits of giving up. Write down your thoughts, considering why you want to conquer your bad habit, and how you will feel when you do. Also, write down what you are worried about.

* Writing ideas down will make the concerns more manageable and you’ll likely be less overwhelmed.

2. Identify the triggers behind your habit.

* Depending on what your habit is, you may do it at certain times, sometimes without realizing it.

* One example is if you were to bite your nails. Some do it out of boredom, others in nervous situations. Identifying your ‘triggers’ will allow you to become aware of the habit. When you think about it, you’ll want to stop.

* Another example may be relevant to smokers. Some people associate walking to work or waiting for a bus to be a trigger for their habit. By identifying the triggers, you can work towards conquering them altogether.

3. Keep a journal

* You’ll want to mark your progress as you work to conquer your habit. Write down when you first decided to beat it and how long you hope it will take you. By having clear goals written down, you can see a sense of progress.

* Within this journal, write down how you feel at set times of the week, or just whenever you feel like sharing. Discuss your thoughts and feelings openly. If you find yourself struggling to break a habit, be honest and share that in your journal. Keeping your thoughts internalized will not help you make progress.

4. Replace habits

* Not all habits are bad ones, and some can be used to replace the ones you want to get rid of. One example is exercise.

* The brain releases chemicals that make you feel great after a workout. So, if you replace bad habits with a quick run, a ten-minute workout in front of the television, or something to keep your mind active, you’ll feel much better.

* Replace the bad habit with a new one that will both support you and help you stay healthy.

5. Reward yourself

* Every time you are tempted to break your habit, do something to reward yourself for not giving in.

* One idea is to have a jar of money. Every time you break a bad habit, ‘pay’ the jar as though it’s a reward and watch your money grow. Gradually, you will have enough money to do something you enjoy.

* Treat yourself to your favorite meal or reward yourself in some way for every week you keep your bad habit at bay.

Identify and accept the habit and its triggers. Reward yourself when you don’t give in and don’t be afraid to reach out to others, or even your journal, for support.

Bad habits can be broken, and when you see progress, you’ll feel like you accomplished something.

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Cheers, Helene Malmsio

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