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Where Do Our Bad Habits Come From?
Life should be pretty good. We’re smart people, who know how to find things out. We know the healthy habits that we’re supposed to have and have even set all manner of goals to create those habits in our lives. But over and over again we’ve failed, and never quite seem to figure out why.
To deal with the bad habits in our lives, we first need to understand the most basic things about them. Where do they come from and what purpose do they serve. Yes, even our bad habits serve a purpose, whether you realize it or not.
Why we form bad habits
We form habits when we’re struggling to cope with either stress or boredom. But when we lack the proper coping strategies, we flounder and reach for something that’s going to please us at that moment. Think about it. Most bad habits come with a sweet surge that puts a rush of good feelings into our bodies. That’s why nicotine or fatty foods are so addictive; they stimulate those pleasure centers in the brain.
So how do we build better-coping skills?
Replace Bad Habits
Once we understand why we do what we do, what comes next should be easy. After all, you don’t ERASE bad habits – you REPLACE them.
1. Plan ahead. It’s time to put better strategies in place which you can use during stressful situations. Those stressful moments can lead to your bad habits and if you have a plan worked out in advance that you can put into action at that time you’re ahead of the game.
2. Reduce triggers. Life will never be perfect, and some triggers you can’t erase (like running into your ex at the grocery store), but there’s a lot you can do with the ones you can control. Hide the remote, don’t even buy the cookies, don’t hang around with people who are going to be smoking. Do what you need to set yourself up for success – not failure.
3. Find a Buddy. Success is much more likely when you’ve got someone else who’s got similar goals. Besides, hanging out with someone else is a great way to beat boredom.
4. Watch the self-talk. The voice in our head is responsible for most of the stress in our lives. Instead, replace all those negative thoughts with positive ones.
5. Check the people you hang out with. If your friends are stressing you, maybe they’re not your friends. It might be time to build some new relationships with people who make you feel positive and more energized.
6. Visualize Success. You’ve got this! You can manage stress and boredom in healthy ways. The great news is that by learning better coping skills, you’re going to feel better in all areas of your life. You won’t just defeat the bad habits, but you’ll also be setting yourself up for success.
Sign up for my FREE 5-Day email course Breaking the Bad Habit Cycle by clicking the link below.
How Bad Are Bad Habits?
Bad Habits Can Create:
- Low self-esteem, low self-respect, and a poor self-image
- Impaired physical health, sometimes to extreme levels
- Substantial weight fluctuation
- Lethargy
- Insomnia or irregular sleep patterns
- Social anxiety
- Panic attacks
- Depression
- Impaired judgment
Breaking Bad Habits Will Change Your Life
Bad Habits That Are Affecting Your Life:
- Smoking
- Too much sugar
- TV
- Junk Food
- Negativity
- Alcohol
- Social Media
Planning is my number 1 way to reduce bad habits and when I don’t, that is definitely when I resort to choices I wouldn’t otherwise. Great post, Tracy!
Recognising you have the issue, taking actions to rectify the behaviour and replacing with good habits all help to break the bad habit cycle. Great post.
That voice in my head.. if I can learn to turn that off, or turn it around to help me, instead of stress me… then I will be on my way. Don’t Erase, Replace.. Love that!
Bad habits? What bad habits? LOL!
So many people struggle with this. I was able to impact one employee with teaching her to speak gratitude every time she had a negative thought! I hate to be negative but so many people think they will miss something by putting in the work. It changes your life but is also a lifelong process. Turning off the TV is a good start!
Bad habits are so hard to break especially when you’ve been doing them for so long. I like to add affirmations to remind me I’m awesome (I’m a former smoker)
Bad habits are definitely easier than good ones, but in the long run good habits feel better.
Great tips. I feel like this is something that everyone struggles with in some way. Everyone has their bad habits.
Recognizing the problem and planning ahead is huge for me.
Self talk is a big one for me! Luckily, my fiance is an amazing buddy and accountantabilty partner.
Breaking a bad habit can be hard
Bad habits creep up especially when I am sick. I have been sick for almost a week and comfort food is a bad habit. For the past 4 years I follow the 80/20 rule when it comes to eating clean and healthy, well maybe healthy. When I am sick, it is totally opposite and I want to eat everything bad. Always afraid I will not turn it around –
I think visualizing success is such an important part of the process! You have to know where you are going!
Knowing what your bad habits are probably half the battle!
There are some great learning here! Super tips! Thanks!
Great post and if I had the time, I’d do you challenge! Triggers are my downfall, mostly with my sugar addiction!
This is great advice! Love your tips, thank you! I especially like the one that says to replace the habit. I work as a teacher, and we also know we need to replace the old behavior with a new one. Thanks!
This is a great post with great tips. I like replacing the bad habit. I have difficulty with breaking some habits. Thank you.
I love the idea of minimizing triggers. That has helped me in the past.
You actually stated it wonderfully.
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After I initially left a comment I seem to have clicked
on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from
now on each time a comment is added I recieve 4 emails with the same comment.
Perhaps there is an easy method you can remove me from that service?
Thanks a lot!
I’ve looked and don’t see one. I think you would have to go to your first post and click on edit and then change your options. So sorry.
great tips!