Once we perform the same task over and over and over again, it becomes habitual. The repeated action can be hard to break. You might have become complacent and no longer want to think about changing your behavior. You may even accept and complete the habit without realizing it. However, you have the power to change a habit. No habit is too hard to break. It might not be easy, but with time and effort, you’ll be able to break a negative habit and implement a better, healthier one in its place.
What Is the Habit I Want to Change?
Asking yourself this question is the first step toward breaking a habit. It’s going to take work, so be willing to work at changing this habit. If you want to quit drinking every night, it’s going to take time. To stay sober, you’re first going to have to make a change to your routine. If you have a glass of wine with dinner every night, this might be a great space to break the habit. Figuring out what you want to change is the first step to identifying the habit and making a healthy change.
What Does This Habit Give Me?
Once your habit is identified, you must determine what your habit provides for you. Why have you been completing this habit for so long? What do you find in this habit that you cannot find in others? Maybe your glass of wine helps you relax after a long day of work. Whatever your habit is, figure out why you participate in it.
What Can I Replace My Habit With?
Once you have identified the habit and figured out what it gives you, find out how you can replace the habit and still achieve a similar outcome. You want to essentially replace the unhealthy habit with a healthier one. If you’ve realized the glass of wine in the evening isn’t serving you even though you use it to relax, find something else that you can do at night that will give you that same feeling of relaxation. This can be replacing the glass of wine with a cup of water and doing yoga or meditation in the evening.
So, What Will I Do?
Last but not least, you must actually do the thing that is going to help break your bad habit. If you’re just thinking about changing, that isn’t enough to break a habit. This step could include scheduling a yoga class for the evenings and actually attending it. Do something that is going to help you break the habit. Following through is important.
Arbor Behavioral Healthcare is here to help you break your unhealthy habits during your recovery. Call us today at (844) 413-2690. We can’t wait to speak with you and help you break those bad habits today!