How to Quit Bad Habits for Better Health
By Genevieve Cunningham
Bad habits. We all have them. Some of us bite our nails. Some of us sleep in too late. Some of us twist our hair. These bad habits probably sound harmless, and for the most part, they really are! But what happens when your bad habits are actually detrimental to your health? When this happens -- when your habit is smoking or overeating or something else equally unhealthy -- it's important to break the habit to protect your health. If you would like to break some bad habits to improve your health and wellness, take a look at these tips to get you moving in the right direction.
Get an Accountability Buddy
There's no doubt that breaking bad habits is incredibly tough. If you want to make it easier, get yourself an accountability buddy. This is going to be someone that you can trust and rely on. Tell this person about your goals and your desire to quit your habit, and then ask them to encourage you and keep you moving in the right direction. A little help from someone else makes breaking bad habits much easier.
Get the Proper Motivation
The truth is that you will never break a bad habit unless you have the right motivation behind it. It's not enough that your spouse or a friend wants you to quit. You have to want to do it yourself. If you think you want to quit a particular habit, do some research first. Find out what makes this habit unhealthy and solid reasons why you should quit. Only when you're able to find the proper motivation will you be able to quit the bad habit and stick with your decision for good.
Find a Healthy Alternative
Many times we engage in bad habits out of boredom. We probably didn't begin the habit with the intention of ruining our health. We just wanted to try it one time or we wanted something to do. And then over time, it turned into something that we do on a regular basis. Because we are creatures of habit, it might be easier to replace the bad habit with a better and healthier alternative. Instead of reaching for a cigarette, reach for a piece of gum. Instead of grabbing a bag of chips when you’re bored, grab a glass of water. This will definitely take some time to get used to, but with a little patience and persistence, you may be able to replace your old bad habit with a new one that doesn’t harm your health.
To be perfectly honest, breaking bad habits is not easy. It will take some serious dedication and will definitely take some time; but if you desire a healthier life, breaking bad habits might be necessary. Just use these tips to get you going, and before you know it your bad habits will be long gone and your health will be better than ever before.
To learn more about your health and wellness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Johns Creek, Ga.