What are Habits?

All people have habits. But what are habits? Habits are behaviors that we frequently do, sometimes without even noticing that we are doing them. There are lots of different types of habits, both good and bad. Some people might have a habit of working out every day, while others might have a habit of smoking cigarettes. Good habits can be helpful and make our lives easier, while bad habits can be harmful and make our lives more difficult.
The process of developing a habit begins with a cue, which then triggers a routine and provides a reward. This cycle is commonly referred to as the habit loop.

What is an addiction?

Addiction is an uncontrollable need for a substance or behavior that harms the individual or those around them. There are many different types of addictions, but all share one common characteristic: they take over the individual’s life and interfere with their ability to function. Some common addictions include alcohol, cigarettes, and drugs or just addiction to watching tv, social media…etc

15 ways to break bad habits and stop your addiction :

1-Focus on why you want to change:

What is the reason behind your desire to break or change a certain habit? changing your behavior is often easier when the change is something you value or when it would be beneficial to you.

Give thought to why you want to break the habit and any benefits that might come from doing so. Listing these reasons could help you brainstorm a few that you hadn’t considered yet.
If you need extra motivation, try writing your reasons down on a piece of paper and keeping it somewhere you’ll see it frequently.
Having a record of your reasons for changing can help you stay on track. If you find yourself reverting to the old habit, your list will help you get back on track by reminding you of your goals.

2-Choose a substitute for your bad habit:

When you are trying to break a bad habit, it is crucial that you have a plan for what you will do instead of succumbing to the habit when you are bored or stressed. What do you plan on doing when you have the urge to smoke? “For instance, breathing exercises”. How are you going to stay productive when social media is constantly trying to distract you? “For example, leave your phone away or write a sentence to remind you about your work “.It is essential to have the plan to replace your bad habit with a positive activity if you want to be successful.

3-Band together with somebody:

How many times have you kept your diet a secret? Or maybe you’ve tried to quit smoking or any other bad habits you wanted to break before, but you kept it to yourself? That way, no one would see your failure, right?
It may be better to find a quitting partner instead of going it alone. Having someone to be accountable to and to celebrate your victories with can be very motivating.

4-Remove temptations from your environment:

The environment plays a significant role in how easy or difficult it is to break an addiction. In order to create a safe environment, it is important to remove any and all triggers from your living space.
To break your addiction, you not only need to get rid of objects related to the habit but also anything else that might remind you of it.

5-Fill your time with healthy activities:

To break your addiction, filling your time with healthy activities that make you happy is key. It’s difficult to break an addiction that impacts many areas of your life. Doing things that make you happy will help you stick to your goal.

6-Make A Daily Change:

Making a change in your daily routine is essential to forming a new healthy habit. You’re more likely to achieve your goals if they’re something that occurs constantly, rather than something that happens weekly or monthly.

Related:How to Embrace Change in Your Life ?

7-Stay away from people and places that trigger you:

In order to stick to your new lifestyle, you might need to create an entirely new routine. Addiction and bad habits can hold you back from living your life to the fullest.
There is nothing wrong with distancing yourself from people who bring you down and finding new environments and activities that make you happy. Right now, your priority should be what will help you the most.

8-Keep your stress levels healthy:

Stress is a part of life, but there are things you can do to make it more manageable. Stress is a common trigger for addiction, so finding healthy ways to cope with stress is important. This can include things like meditation, exercise, and journaling…

Related:8 Ways to Bust Stress in 5 Minutes

9-Celebrate every little accomplishment:

You should feel proud of overcoming an addiction, no matter how small the steps may be. Doing something nice for yourself each time you meet a goal is a great way to commemorate your progress. It’s not easy overcoming an addiction, so make sure to give yourself a little something each time you hit a milestone.

10-Forgive yourself if you relapse:

Do not allow a relapse to be the termination of your expedition because everyone makes mistakes. Having a relapse can be difficult, but if you take the time to figure out what caused it and how to prevent it, you can get back on track.

11-Practice self-care:

If you want to make positive changes in your life, it is important to start from a place of wellness.
Trying to break a habit when you’re already dealing with other challenges, like work stress, relationship troubles, or health problems, can just make things worse.
Prioritizing your wellness is key when breaking a habit. This not only aids in your success but also helps you to keep functioning despite challenges.

Examples:

Eat regular, nutritious meals,  good night sleep , relaxation ,be more active physically ,learn new things , exercise …

12-Make sure that you are not replacing your addiction with another one:

When you’re addicted to something, it’s because your brain enjoys the feeling it gets from it. However, as you try to quit your addiction, you’ll find yourself looking for other things that can give you a similar feeling.However, it is essential to abstain from other addictive substances or behaviors as they will not assist you in your recovery.

13-Love Yourself:

When you are struggling with addiction or bad habits, it is important to love yourself. The fight against your addiction or bad habits can be tiring, and oftentimes it can feel like you’re fighting a losing battle. However, if you have a strong mind and strong self-love, you can overcome these obstacles. In moments of temptation, ask yourself “Will this really benefit me?

It is crucial to always keep in mind that you are the only one who can control your actions and the repercussions that follow them. Whenever you are considering a choice, think about how that choice will affect you before making a decision.

Related:20 Ways to Practice Self-Love and Be More Confident

14-Review Your Plan Daily :

A good way to get rid of a bad habit is to review your plan for change every day. By doing this, you will be more likely to stay committed and achieve your goals and stay on track .

Related:How To Plan Your Day ?

15-Visualize yourself succeeding:

 To break a bad habit, first visualize yourself succeeding. See yourself doing things differently like throwing away cigarettes or sleeping early. Crushing your bad habit will allow you to build a new, healthier identity for yourself.