In order to understand how to change your life to get rid of bad habits, you need to consider several factors. Habits are behaviors that are regularly engaged in, almost without thinking, such as biting one's fingernails. Usually something acts as a trigger and the behavior follows.
Some behaviors may not be particularly obvious. Pornography, excessive drinking and gambling are well known problem areas. Other behaviors such as over-eating and constant shopping do not have such extreme impacts on a person or their family. Whoever has the addiction needs to be aware of it and want to change. If the motivation to change or eliminate a practice is lacking, then the habit will generally remain and even grow.
To amend a long-standing habit or behavior, there needs to be very strong motivation. You need to have good reasons for stopping. It is very hard to stop a behavior unless you really want to. Part of this motivation is based on recognizing personal control and responsibility. It is easy to embrace the temptation to blame our behavior on someone else. But, the blame game gives control to others or to circumstances. You won't change if you don't realize that you have control.
Tell others of your desire to change and then get their help in recognizing reasons and motivations to change. List why you need to change and the benefits that will come from altering your customs. As a simple example, if you stop purchasing things you don't really need, you could save significant money that could be used for something of real value to you. It may also be a big help in your marriage relationship. As another example, if you have three good meals a day and stop snacking, clothes will fit better, you'll have more energy and better health.
Substituting a bad habit for a less harmful one can be a good start in a better direction. If, by going shopping, you experience feelings of pleasure, perhaps you can substitute something in its place. There are many activities which are very enjoyable so try to find something to take the place of expensive shopping. Perhaps you'd like to cut down on the amount of snacks you consume between meals. Make sure you have adequate meals and go without snacks as much as possible. Replace poor snacks with healthy ones so that, if you do need to eat between meals, you will be building up your overall health.
If having a cigarette relieves your stress, consider other approaches to stress relief such as exercise or meditation. Buy snacks low in calories if you are always eating between meals. Eating proper meals, such as a real breakfast, may help curb snacking before lunch.
Learning habit triggers and avoiding them can help prevent falling back into the behavior. In other words, modify not only your action but also your thinking and your attitudes. It is often impossible to amend a behavior overnight. Make small changes over a period of time. Habits, good and bad, take a long time to establish and to eliminate. It can, however, be done if you are willing to share your life, needs and challenges with others. Seek for friends or a small support group who will encourage you. With support, humility and desire you can get rid of bad habits.
Some behaviors may not be particularly obvious. Pornography, excessive drinking and gambling are well known problem areas. Other behaviors such as over-eating and constant shopping do not have such extreme impacts on a person or their family. Whoever has the addiction needs to be aware of it and want to change. If the motivation to change or eliminate a practice is lacking, then the habit will generally remain and even grow.
To amend a long-standing habit or behavior, there needs to be very strong motivation. You need to have good reasons for stopping. It is very hard to stop a behavior unless you really want to. Part of this motivation is based on recognizing personal control and responsibility. It is easy to embrace the temptation to blame our behavior on someone else. But, the blame game gives control to others or to circumstances. You won't change if you don't realize that you have control.
Tell others of your desire to change and then get their help in recognizing reasons and motivations to change. List why you need to change and the benefits that will come from altering your customs. As a simple example, if you stop purchasing things you don't really need, you could save significant money that could be used for something of real value to you. It may also be a big help in your marriage relationship. As another example, if you have three good meals a day and stop snacking, clothes will fit better, you'll have more energy and better health.
Substituting a bad habit for a less harmful one can be a good start in a better direction. If, by going shopping, you experience feelings of pleasure, perhaps you can substitute something in its place. There are many activities which are very enjoyable so try to find something to take the place of expensive shopping. Perhaps you'd like to cut down on the amount of snacks you consume between meals. Make sure you have adequate meals and go without snacks as much as possible. Replace poor snacks with healthy ones so that, if you do need to eat between meals, you will be building up your overall health.
If having a cigarette relieves your stress, consider other approaches to stress relief such as exercise or meditation. Buy snacks low in calories if you are always eating between meals. Eating proper meals, such as a real breakfast, may help curb snacking before lunch.
Learning habit triggers and avoiding them can help prevent falling back into the behavior. In other words, modify not only your action but also your thinking and your attitudes. It is often impossible to amend a behavior overnight. Make small changes over a period of time. Habits, good and bad, take a long time to establish and to eliminate. It can, however, be done if you are willing to share your life, needs and challenges with others. Seek for friends or a small support group who will encourage you. With support, humility and desire you can get rid of bad habits.
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