How to Break a Bad Habit

A habit is an established customary practice developed in the form of an automatic pattern of behavior. There are both good and bad habits. A good habit could be you making your bed as soon as you wake up, brushing your teeth twice a day, or wiping your shoes on the doormat before entering, and a bad habit could be not rising early, biting your nails, talking loudly in public, and swearing unnecessarily.

We all have habits that we want to break free from. These are habits we know are not good for us in some way or the other. A habit is an activity that we have conditioned ourselves to. It's not that it can't be changed, but we have got accustomed to it, and it has become a source of convenience.

Accept That it is a Bad Habit
We are so accustomed to our bad habits that most of the time we don't even realize that we have them, until someone points them out to us. And even after someone has pointed it out, changing is a choice based on perspective. So, the first step that will lead to changing a bad habit is by accepting it and acknowledging the bad habit. Let yourself know that you have something that is not good for you and even others around you.

Make Yourself Aware
Now that you know you have developed a bad habit, its best to find out why you developed it in the first place. Find out the reason behind it, as that will help you in understanding why you're so temped to perform that act. Sometimes the reason can be minuscule and sometimes they even reveal ghosts from the past. There is nothing to feel scared or uncomfortable about. You've got to face it and then get rid of it. There is no point in running away from a bad habit without understanding, why and how you adopted it.

Know What the Consequences Are
A bad habit is termed as 'bad', because its consequences are detrimental. Find out how this bad habit of yours has spoiled things around you. Your mom must have yelled at you a million of times for it, but after all she is your mother you hear what she says from one ear and throw it out from the other. But it's now time to change that. Say for example, a bad habit of getting up late can actually ruin the schedule of your entire day. And, if this is what you do everyday, then imagine how many days has it already eaten up. Realize this and without further ado and make up your mind to quit it.

Use a Trigger
A trigger is something that will prevent you from performing your bad habit. For example, let's consider a habit like getting up late or biting your nails. To avoid getting up late, put an alarm and decide that you will get up the moment you hear it. Keep it a little away from where you sleep so that you need to make a little effort to reach out to it to switch it off or even snooze it.

Target - 21 Day Cycle
A study says that, it takes 21 days for the human mind and body to get used to something. So, quit your bad habit for 21 days straight and the tendency and the craving will certainly reduce.

Determination - Is the Name of the Game
Leaving a bad habit is like throwing a boomerang, you throw it and it will come back to you. So, don't just impulsively decide to quit a bad habit, do it after understanding it and being determined to not do it again. Take it as a test of your will power and make it a matter of your ego. Don't be laid-back about it. Be firm that this time you'll break free from it.

Find a Substitute
When you've figured out why you adopted this bad habit, you will automatically find a substitute for it. Let's take an example of biting your nails. One is said to bite his/her nails, when he/she is either nervous or anxious. If so, then realize that you are getting anxious and triggered to perform your bad habit and talking to someone about it. Also dealing with it confidently, will help you be a little less dependent on your bad habit to support you in times of stress. It is about challenging yourself and fighting something that is not nice.

Take Help from Family and Friends
Tell your family and friends about your resolution, so that they can prevent you from performing the bad habit and also remind you about the promise you made to yourself.

Keep an Incentive
By this I mean that reward yourself every time you stop yourself from the performing the bad habit. This will keep you motivated to quit the bad habit and at the same time will also make you happy.

There are habits that people have carried with them for years it will definitely take some time and will power to get rid of. Take it up as a personal mission and achieve it. Breaking a habit is a better option than letting it grow with you to become an addiction. Try breaking free from a bad habit, and feel the difference in yourself. You'll be proud of yourself and I will certainly congratulate you for it.