It's easy to feel overwhelmed when trying to kick a bad habit. The good news is that you don't have to change everything at once. That would be too hard and will likely lead to failure. Instead, identify one or two bad behaviors that are holding you back and start with these.
If your habit is something you've been doing for years, you may find it difficult to break it. In this case, you may want to consult a mental health professional, who can help you determine a plan of action. However, many mental health professionals agree that the first step to overcoming a habit is recognition. Once you recognize the problem, you'll be better equipped to create and implement new habits.
Before you attempt to break a bad habit, make a list of the reasons why you should quit. Write down the positives and negatives of the habit and keep it handy for future reference. Refer to it whenever you feel the urge to indulge. Having this list with you can act as a pocket-sized life coach and help you resist the temptation.
The next step in breaking a habit is to visualize what you want to achieve. For instance, you might imagine that you'll get a free movie ticket, or that you'll get a relaxing bath. Focusing on the benefits in the future will motivate you to stay motivated.
Identifying the triggers is a little bit more difficult, but it's not impossible. With the right motivation, you can replace the habit with something else. However, it may be difficult for some people, and motivation alone will not be enough. You have to be willing to change. If you want to succeed, it's important to find out what your triggers are.
Another key is to change your environment. For example, if you regularly snack, changing the location where you snack might prevent you from doing so. This will create friction, which can encourage you to stop the bad habit. If you don't feel like snacking, substituting another behavior for the snack can help you curb the urge.
Habits are formed over time. It takes around 18 days to form a habit. Changing habits is a gradual process, so try to make the process as consistent and predictable as possible. Try not to rush the process; take baby steps and reward yourself for small successes. You will be surprised at the difference!
Another key step in the process of breaking a habit is to be aware of the triggers that cause it to develop. Habits are often associated with situations in which we experience distress or pleasure. Knowing this will make it much easier to break the habit. The good news is that there are many ways to break stubborn habits.
Don't try to tackle all of your bad habits at once. Instead, try to focus on one at a time and treat it as a priority. This approach will lead you to success in the long run. Even if you have many bad habits, tackling them one at a time will make the process much more realistic. For instance, if you can't resist coffee, switch to herbal tea, or turn off your notifications on social media.