Humans are creatures of habit. They tend to pick up a good or bad habit and stick to it. Some good practices, such as cleaning up before you sleep, help build your character. It also helps you stay organized and abreast of things.
Some habits can be detrimental to your health, such as smoking. At the same time, others may be nasty or affect your productivity, such as biting your fingernails or downing liquor every day. However, bad habits tend to take the most from you.
A habit gradually becomes a part of you without much realization. If you are struggling to drop a particular habit, this article will give you ideal ways to set you on the path for recovery.
Understand Your Triggers
Subconsciously, you may pick up a habit after a specific trigger. You may not realize what it is until you take some time to analyze your patterns. Some people claim that drinking alcohol fuels their urge to smoke. Others may claim that being nervous or anxious leads to chewing their nails.
By identifying your triggers, you are getting ahead of the problem. If you can control your trigger, you can manage your habit. For instance, when anxious, instead of biting your nails, you can take a walk or exercise to release the tension. If you smoke when you drink, it is best to avoid drinking.
When understanding your triggers, it is best to note when the habit happens, what time it takes place, and whether other people are involved. You may have to make certain lifestyle adjustments to cut your patterns.
External Support
Sometimes the high road is the right road. In this case, if you struggle to control your habit by yourself, it may be time you consider joining a recovery institution. For example, visiting an addiction center will walk you through the necessary steps to cut your addiction.
In addition, they will provide medical care if you exhibit withdrawal symptoms. All you need to do is voluntarily commit yourself to the institution.
Friend Support
Forming a habit is easy, but breaking a habit can be pretty challenging. It helps to enlist the support of a friend to help you cut off some patterns. If you have a friend struggling with a similar habit, it is best to make a pact to journey the quitting path together.
Having a friend helps in providing motivation and encouragement. If you veer off the path back to your habit, your friend can help you get back on track.
You can also read various literary works that talk of breaking habits. James Clear’s best-selling novel, “Atomic Habits,” continues to top-five bestseller lists in America. The book provides concise step-by-step ways for breaking a habit. For two consecutive months, the book was on the New York Times Best Seller List.
Be Ready for a Relapse
It is normal to experience a relapse as you cut off your bad habits. It is prudent to acknowledge these relapses and get back on track after they happen. A mistake becomes a mistake once you repeat it.
It would help if you visualized breaking free from the habit vehemently. In case of a relapse, you don’t have to beat yourself up about it. Instead, remind yourself why you need to quit the habit and get back on track.
Conclusion
A habit takes approximately 21 days to form. You can leverage this by replacing your old habit with a new habit. Commit yourself to a fresh and healthy practice such as cycling. This will help reduce the urge to give in to your habit.
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