One reason we are stuck with negative or limiting beliefs, doubts and fears is because they become engrained in who we are.
They become habits. We have many beneficial habits in our lives, which make getting through each day happen effortlessly.
However, some habits stand in the way of our achieving the dreams and success we want for ourselves in life.
Some of these bad habits are hard to break because they become enjoyable and we want to keep them. This is especially true
about our relationships with food.
We can close out eyes and vividly remember the smells, tastes, and textures of many foods that we are “addicted” to. Regardless of how many times we read about the harmful effects of these foods, We can not stop eating them!
According to wikipedia, a bad habit is a negative behavior pattern. Behaviors are acquired and develop over time. Habits are actions we take over and over again. Habits become unconscious, automatic thoughts and actions we take when we encounter a situation, which are based on prior experiences. With bad habits, these actions may not give us a desired or different result from the past.
Changing a bad habit is possible. We can learn what it takes and put new actions into practice in your daily life to change the
engrained habits of a lifetime. We can even learn to change the nature programmed into your genes, but it will take determined
actions, over and over again, to reprogram your mind and change yourself.
Here are 7 ways to break a bad habit:
-1- put it in writing – use your journal to write about a bad habit – include exactly what is the habit, what do you do before engaging in the habit, what benefits does the habit bring you (this is important because we usually experience something satisfying from the habit), and what is an alternative habit choice.
-2- make it conscious – become aware of when we engage in the habit, such as picking at nails, watching TV, eating junk food, running late for an appointment, procrastinating, etc.
So many habits are mindless, routine, we don’t THINK about doing them. We can focus on our choices and decide if they are giving us the results we desire.
-3- choose an alternative behavior – decide what to do instead. By being prepared with healthy food alternatives, we are less likely to reach for an unhealthy one.
-4- choose positive thoughts – use positive language to adopt change. Instead of saying – “I am not eating any junk food today”. State – “Today I will eat a piece of fruit for snack.” Then of course, do it!
-5- have patience – changing a long standing bad habit is not easy and it will take time. Take small steps on a regular basis.
Use the phrase “Just this one time” and choose the side small salad instead of the order the french fries (So often “just this one time” for fries is every time!).
-6- engage an ally – identify a friend with a similar bad habit and work together to change.
-7- Reward yourself – the Pavlov method can work. We can focus on what reward we will earn for sticking to our goal.
Choose an appropriate one – when You choose to eat fruit every day for snack, do you want to sabotage your efforts with a big banana split at week’s end?
In summary, bad habits, which have developed over time can be changed. Take regular, consistent action to succeed.
