subject: How To Avoid Bad Habits [print this page] How do we avoid bad habits? We all understand what it is to have a bad habit we hate but cannot stop. Some simply annoy us, but others have the power to really hurt us. Nearly everyone struggles with probably one habit we do again and again that we dislike intensely but keep doing, regardless of the high cost. Whether it is chronic lateness or over spending, our lives are out of our control.
The easiest defense to avoid bad habits sounds so straight forward as to be trite, but here it is. Don't start! Each day in our life we make a thousand choices, and with lots of of those choices we are given an opportunity to avoid establishing bad habits. The will to make a life affirming choice arises out of self respect and self love and also, respect for others.
When you were a child you may have come up in an environment that taught you that you were bad, or not worthy of love, or not worthy. If this is so, then it is critical to do all that is possible to learn to appreciate yourself and heal wounded self-esteem, in whatever ways you can. If you are have children in your care, you have the priceless chance to infuse in them sturdy self worth so they will be able to resist the choices that cultivate bad habits.
It is entirely possible to avoid the most dangerous habits in the first place, if the will to make a positive choice is there. Such as smoking. Tobacco is not a substances the body requires and it is smart to just never start. Strong self respect provides the force to say no to the peer pressure around it. The same can be said of any bad habit, like excessive drinking. If these habits are already in swing, then healthy self regard and the desire to be in charge of your life leads to seeking the support you need to reclaim your life from a bad habit.
What about anger in your relationships? Habitually indulging in conflict, or a habit of screaming, needs to be supplanted with beneficial habits. Be taught new coping skills,such as taking some deep breaths, going for a walk for a cool down before tacking the issue. There are many self help books providing guidance to clean up bad habits in relationships.. Second hand stores have lots of good books for a song.
Who you spend time with has a big effect. In replacing bad habits with good, it may require the courage to end associations with others who have the same behaviors, and also avoiding situations where those habits become triggered.
