What To Do With Bad Habits

What Is a Habit?

A habit is something that is done repeatedly without you even thinking about it. A habit is the frequent repetition of something said or done. It is a usual practice or pattern. A habit is something that you do routinely without much thought or effort. Sometimes people do things without even realizing they are doing them because they have become so routine.

How Long Does It Take for a Habit to Form?

It takes about 7 days for a habit to form. It takes 14 days to break a habit. In other words, it takes twice as long to break a habit as it does to make a habit. Therefore, it stands to reason not to develop bad habits in the first place, since it takes twice as long to get rid of them.

Here is something to keep in mind about bad habits. If you don't get rid of them, they can become addictions. It could be something as simple as clearing the throat, tapping the foot, or scratching the head. While others recognize the habit, the person with the habit might not be aware of it at all. When brought to the person's attention, he might even deny it at first.

"All bad habits start slowly and gradually and before you know you have the habit, the habit has you." --Zig Ziglar

Habits Can Be Good or Bad

Habits can be good or bad. A bad habit is a negative practice. Common examples of bad habits include procrastination, fidgeting, overspending, nail-biting, gossiping, smoking, and drinking alcohol. If a person recognizes a habit and acknowledges that the habit is bad, it is much easier to get rid of it.

Habit or Addiction?

If a person has no control over a bad habit, it becomes an addiction. It is better to get rid of a bad habit before that happens. An addiction is much harder to get rid of than a bad habit. Good advice is to do something about a bad habit right away before it turns into an addiction.

Ways to Get Rid of a Bad Habit

Breaking a bad habit is not easy at all. However, it can be done. To get rid of a bad habit, consider implementing the following strategies:

1. Identify your triggers: Notice what your triggers are.
2. Use small steps: Break the process into manageable steps to make it easier to follow through.
3. Track your progress: Keep a record of your efforts to reinforce your determination and see how far you've come.
4. Replace the bad habit: After you have broken a bad habit, fill that empty space with a good habit, so the bad habit will not return.

Remove Reminders of the Bad Habit

Sometimes, after getting rid of a bad habit, temptations are left behind as reminders. For instance, if a person gives up drinking but still keeps wine, beer, and other alcoholic beverages on hand, the temptation remains. After you get rid of the bad habit, remove the temptation so that you will not return to it.

1. Leave nothing to remind you of the bad habit you have broken.
2. Remove the temptation so it will not be a reminder of the bad habit you have gotten rid of.

Replace a Bad Habit with a Good Habit

Once you get rid of a bad habit, the best way to keep it from returning is to replace it with a new good habit. Something has to go in the place you have made room for. Let it be something positive that you can be proud of.

Make sure the new thing is not related to the old habit you have broken. For instance, if your bad habit was drinking alcohol every day at home, it would not be wise to go to bars with friends, thinking you won't drink even when your friends insist that you do.