Breaking Habits
Many of us have thought about making some positive changes in our lives by breaking habits. But somehow, we meet resistance despite yearning for something different. The problem? Most of us like routine! It gives us a sense of order that helps us feel in control of our daily lives. Having a routine means we don’t have to think too hard about what we need to do next. We simply allow a regular routine to form. We are creatures of habit, but if we stop and focus on our practices, we may discover the bad ones lurking with the good ones - like drinking too much coffee or alcohol, overspending on retail shopping, a copious amount of time spent on social media or even over-exercising.
Often a bad habit serves a physical relief, like food or drugs, and sometimes an emotional one. You may, for instance, bite your nails, clench your jaw or remain in a bad relationship just because of the habit of familiarity. Even though we know bad habits waste our time and energy and may even threaten our emotional well-being, physical health or career opportunities, we still do them.
Habits, whether good or bad are in our lives for a reason; otherwise we wouldn’t do them. However, most bad habits are formed to cope with stress, anxiety or boredom. Like medicine, it gives us a sense of temporary pleasure, relief or satisfaction. We know we must stop, but we lack the incentive to do so.
So then, how can we achieve breaking habits?
There is no point telling yourself to ‘stop it’ because there is usually a reason for having them. Habits serve emotional needs, like smoking for instance. Instead, we need to replace them. We need to replace one ‘pleasure principle’ for another ‘pleasure principle’. We need to replace the bad habit for a healthier behaviour that serves the same emotional need.
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The first step in breaking habits is, to begin with awareness. Don’t get caught up in guilt-tripping yourself, instead, notice what you are doing and become curious about yourself. Notice yourself lighting up that cigarette and inwardly enquire: ‘I wonder why I need this right now?’. Notice if something stressful just happened that may have triggered an emotional response in your body. Then, begin to imagine what else you could do instead. Perhaps you could practice breathing exercises or a short mind meditation. These healthier activities serve the same emotional need that the cigarette you’ve become familiar with.
Choosing a substitute for your bad habit and exercising the new behaviour takes time. It also takes conscious effort and perseverance for a new action to become an automatic behaviour, so plan for pitfalls. Allow yourself to slip up now and then and forgive yourself and start all over. Breaking habits is not a simple straightforward task; but it is achievable!
Remember, you are only human.
Find out more
Convinced by our tips on breaking habits? Are you based in West London and would you want to find our more? Please feel free to book an appointment with our West London based Bridge To Health Psychotherapist Ania Jorgenson at 07311 088 988 or by email at ania@bridgetohealth.co.uk. Or simply book an appointment directly. She will be happy to see you at our Ealing or Uxbridge clinics.
