How to Get Rid of a Bad Habit

Bad habits are indeed like a comfortable bed; easy to get into, but hard to get out of. If left untreated, bad habits can escalate into an addiction. It is therefore important to get rid of these bad habits before they go out of control. In this article, let us see how we can effectively eradicate these habits. Before you continue reading, remember to follow me and subscribe to the newsletter.

Tip #1: Make it Hard

The first step to breaking a bad habit is making it difficult to accomplish. To do so, you must identify and destroy your cues. For example, if you are looking to quit smoking, throw away all your cigarettes and never go near a shop selling them. Most people relapse from their bad habits as they think that it wouldn’t hurt to just see it. But that isn’t true. It’s the same thing as a gambling addict watching people gamble. By putting yourself in temptation, it makes it very easy for you to relapse. At the same time, write down the negative consequences of the bad habit you are trying to get out of. For example, you could write “Smoking can cause lung cancer and kill me.” or “Gambling will cause me to waste my hard-earned money and destroy my family.” Every time you feel yourself slipping back into it, remember what you wrote and that should deter you from doing it again.

Tip #2: Replace it With a Good Habit

Introducing another habit such as reading will distract your mind and keep you occupied. The previous bad habit suddenly becomes less pleasurable and addictive as your body focuses on the new habit. Try to engage in something you love. Your mind does not have time to think about the old habit anymore and naturally quitting it becomes much easier. If you want to build a good habit effectively, check out my article at https://bestofwrite.com/2020/11/30/how-to-build-a-habit-effectively/ to learn more.

Tip #3: Reward Yourself

By rewarding yourself for quitting a habit, you make it much more enticing to do so. These rewards inspire and push you forward even when your motivation and willpower is low. Give yourself something you like to eat. Give yourself a movie.

Tip #4: If You Relapse, Get Back on Track Fast

You might be tempted to give up when you relapse. You start to doubt whether your efforts are working and giving results. The truth is, all of us slip and fall sometimes. It’s okay to make mistakes, but what’s most important is to pick yourself up and push on further and don’t give up. By doing so, you avoid derailing your hard work and become one step closer to success.