Whether it’s smoking, not exercising, or eating too many processed foods, we all have bad habits that we wish we could break. Habits are hard to break, but it’s not impossible. To help you stop destructive habits and form positive ones, we’ve put together this guide on how to kick bad habits and build healthy ones. First, it’s important to identify your bad habits. This can be done by tracking how often you do certain activities and thinking about what situations trigger certain habits. Once you’ve identified your habits, you can start to make a plan of action to replace them with healthier ones. The National Institute of Health suggests the following:
1. Identify your triggers. Consider the situations, people, and places that encourage you to perform your bad habits.
2. Develop healthier responses. To replace bad habits, come up with healthier alternatives and practice them in place of your unhealthy habits.
3. Seek support. It’s easier to kick bad habits with the help of family and friends. Find people who can hold you accountable and support you in your journey.
4. Reward yourself. Celebrate your successes, big or small. Rewarding yourself for small victories can help you stay motivated and reach your goals.
5. Don’t be too hard on yourself. Habits are formed over time and kicking bad ones can take time.
Don’t give up and don’t beat yourself up if you slip up. Stay strong and resilient. If you’re looking to adopt good habits, try to focus on one habit at a time. Start small, and slowly build on it until it becomes habitual. Research shows that it takes around 66 days to form a habit, so patience and consistency is key. Start by making a realistic goal and set a timeline for yourself. At the end of the day, remember that it takes time to get rid of bad habits and form good ones. Don’t give up and take it one day at a time. With the right attitude, you can kick bad habits and build healthy ones.