26/12/2022
Simple ways to break your bad habits
Substituting good habits
As long as you continue to experience the same cues, your brain will react with the same old routines that have been holding you back. So, once you’ve identified the habits you want to eliminate, and made it more difficult to engage in them, it’s time to find alternative habits to replace them.
If your routine is to eat a donut every afternoon, try placing a bowl of fresh fruit on the counter instead. Or, if you really need that sugar rush, walk down the street to a nearby coffee shop instead of the office kitchen. For bonus points, take the stairs instead of the elevator. You’re not cutting out the habit completely, but you’re making small changes that can add up to big wins over time.
The 12-step habit replacement program AA aka Alcoholics Anonymous recognizes that the stresses of life don’t disappear when a person quits drinking. Instead, it encourages them to replace the habit of drinking with sharing their feelings in regular meetings.
😀Create a table of the habits you want to change. Beside each one, list the ‘good’ habits you’ve decided to replace them with. For example, next to “Eat a donut at 3 p.m.” you could write “Eat an apple” or “Do 10 jumping jacks.”
😀Build a support group of friends and family and share your notes with them. This helps keep you accountable, and gives them a chance to encourage your efforts.