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Seven Proven Ways to Break Your Bad Habits and Build Lasting Change

Edmund Hayes

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5 ways to BREAK Your Bad Habits: Learn how to solve unhealthy habit issues

by Lucas Dousay

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Language	:	English
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Bad habits can be a drag on our lives. They can keep us from reaching our goals, damage our health, and even harm our relationships. But breaking bad habits can be tough. Old habits die hard, as the saying goes. So what can you do if you're stuck in a rut of bad habits?

The good news is that there are a number of scientifically-backed strategies that can help you break bad habits and build lasting change in your life. Here are seven of the most effective:

1. Identify Your Triggers

The first step to breaking a bad habit is to identify the triggers that cause you to do it. What situations, emotions, or thoughts make you more likely to engage in the habit? Once you know your triggers, you can start to avoid them or develop strategies for coping with them in a healthy way.

For example, if you know that you're more likely to eat junk food when you're stressed, you can start to develop healthy coping mechanisms for stress, such as exercise, meditation, or spending time with loved ones.

2. Set Realistic Goals

If you try to change too much too soon, you're more likely to get discouraged and give up. Instead, start by setting small, achievable goals for yourself. Once you've mastered one goal, you can move on to the next.

For example, if you're trying to quit smoking, don't try to quit cold turkey. Instead, start by cutting down on the number of cigarettes you smoke each day. Once you've been able to do that for a few weeks, you can start to work on quitting altogether.

3. Find a Support System

Breaking a bad habit is easier when you have support from others. Talk to your family, friends, or therapist about your goals and ask for their help in holding you accountable.

You can also join a support group or online forum for people who are trying to break the same habit. This can provide you with a sense of community and support.

4. Reward Yourself

When you reach a goal, no matter how small, reward yourself. This will help you to stay motivated and make it more likely that you'll continue to make progress.

Your reward doesn't have to be anything big or expensive. It could be something as simple as taking a break to read your favorite book or spending time with a loved one.

5. Don't Give Up

Breaking a bad habit takes time and effort. There will be setbacks along the way. But don't give up. If you slip up, just pick yourself up and keep going.

The key is to be persistent and to never give up on yourself. With time and effort, you can overcome any bad habit and build lasting change in your life.

6. Use Technology

There are a number of technology tools that can help you break bad habits. These tools can track your progress, provide you with reminders, and offer support.

Here are a few examples of technology tools that can help you break bad habits:

Habit trackers: These apps allow you to track your progress in breaking a habit. You can use them to see how often you engage in the habit, identify your triggers, and set goals for reducing the frequency of the habit.
Reminder apps: These apps can send you reminders to do something or to avoid ng something. You can use them to remind yourself to practice a new habit or to avoid engaging in an old habit.
Support groups: There are a number of online support groups for people who are trying to break bad habits. These groups can provide you with a sense of community and support.