In our last article, where we described how to change habits, here we are with more tips to finally give you the push and take a step towards a healthy lifestyle. Are you trying to eat healthily but somehow are not able to leave that bag of chips? Bad habits are difficult to break! Be it overconsumption of alcohol or lack of sleep which we know are unhealthy but still indulge in them. Isn’t it? So here’s the second part where we’ll add 13 useful tips on how to change habits in 2023 to help you get rid of any toxic or unhealthy habit you are trying to break free from.
13 Useful Tips on How To Change Habits in 2023
Prepare yourself mentally
If you want to get rid of a particular habit don’t go for it immediately. Take a month and prepare yourself for it. Go through all the pros and cons of the journey you are about to embark upon. This will make your struggle easier.
Keep a track
Keep a track of your activities by maintaining a journal. Having a record of how you are proceeding in your journey as it will be effective in motivating you and prevent you from swaying off your goal. If you have a relapse, record that specifically helps you so that you can figure out where and why you went wrong.
Do not hate yourself
There will be times when you might have a relapse and you might feel dissuaded but in those times don’t hate yourself. Try and motivate yourself. Hating yourself will only make things difficult and cause more relapses. If you approach things negatively then it will only hinder your process and slow you down. Stay calm and composed at all times.
Take baby steps
Do not take immediate steps. If you are trying to follow a new habit, do not plunge into it full-fledged. Take small steps and follow them bit by bit. If you want to start working out, start with small intervals. Start with 15 minutes initially and then proceed to longer intervals. Setting up unrealistic goals will only bring out more negativity so go slow.
Set up time frames
Set up time frames for you. For example, if you want to quit biting your nails then give yourself a month so that you accomplish them without getting dissuaded or procrastinating. Also do not set unrealistic time frames like losing 10 kilos in 10 days because that way you will end up exhausting yourself and you will be surrounded by a lot of negativity.
Set up barriers
Make the things that dissuade you or make you follow bad habits make them unappealing. If you want to stop chewing your nails, apply some sort of bitter juice to make your nails repulsive to you.
Take in your friends and family to achieve your goals
Tell your parents, friends or roommate to keep a check on you, talk to them, and tell them your weaknesses and why you are a victim of the habit. This will not only help you retrospect but also feel lighter. This will help you figure out what pain or form of anxiety you are hiding behind this habit.
Take a nap
This sounds bizarre but if you ever have the urge to do something you have been avoiding then go take a nap. This will not only rest your mind but also divert your attention. This is one of the great ways to avoid falling for triggers and cravings.
Follow the 21-day rule
Scientific studies prove that if you want to develop or change a particular habit then follow it or avoid it for at least 21 days as it is sufficient for your mind to get used to it and imbibe it in your system.
Join a club maybe?
Very often when we are surrounded by people who are going through the same difficulties and journey as us we feel more comfortable and motivated. Motivating people or being around people who have an impact on you can be very helpful. You will find several support groups on the internet that you might join.
Meditate
Meditation is one of the best ways to calm you down. It helps get rid of temptations and controls your mind. It is the best way to bring your urges into your grip.
Laugh
Whenever you get the urge to do something you have been avoiding or are about to give in to a bad habit, try to laugh. Watch funny videos on YouTube or Netflix. Many times when comedians talk about their problems or bad habits you feel one with them and can laugh at yourself and relax.
Lastly, do it for yourself
If you are trying to get rid of a bad habit then do it because you want to. Do not try to change because of anyone else. Else it gets difficult and half-hearted. Your habits define you and therefore change them if only you are willing to.
Towards the conclusion
As mentioned in Atomic Habits, a book by James Clear, “Habits are a four-step pattern, the cue triggers a craving, which motivates a response, which provides a reward, which satisfies the craving and, ultimately, becomes associated with the cue. Together, these four steps form a neurological feedback loop—cue, craving, response, reward—that ultimately allows you to create automatic habits. By following these ways one can break this cycle and get rid of any bad habit one is into.”
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