A habit is defined as a routine of behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur subconsciously. While some habits can be great for us, such as brushing our teeth or taking a shower, there are some habits that are bad for us and our mental health. This may include drinking, procrastinating, or spending too much time on social media. Bad habits can also include emotions that you feel, such as feeling constant guilt or always searching for perfectionism. Keep reading to learn 7 helpful strategies to break habits that take tolls on your mental health.
7 Ways to Break Habits that Take Tolls on Your Mental Health
1. Replace a Habit with a New Positive One
The first step you should take is to acknowledge your bad habits that negatively affect your mental health. Once you do this, you can work towards replacing your bad habits with new positive habits. Although it varies from person to person, the key to replacing any habit is to distract yourself long enough that the temptation passes.
For example, if you are trying to stop smoking or vaping, try the following options when you’re tempted to smoke next:
– Get a drink (Using a straw may help)
– Chew a piece of gum
– Eat hard candy or mints
– Exercise
– Use a fidget toy to keep your hands busy
2. Spend Time with Loved Ones
If you’re trying to cut out a bad habit, such as smoking, drinking, or gambling, finding a family member or close friend who is also trying to quit can be extremely motivating. When you are trying to break the habit together, you are able to hold each other accountable and celebrate each other’s successes along the way.
3. Practice Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a very helpful tool when learning how to break bad habits. It is about being present in the moment and being aware of your thoughts. Practicing mindfulness and being aware of your triggers helps to increase the likelihood of success in breaking your bad habit.
4. Stack Your Habits
When it comes to creating new positive habits for yourself, stacking habits is a great strategy. We have a ton of small habits that we do in our daily life without even thinking about it, such as brushing your teeth before bed or turning on the music in the car before you drive anywhere. To stack habits, you simply link old habits to new habits. For example, if your goal is to meditate for 20 minutes per day, do this immediately after brushing your teeth each morning.
5. Celebrate Small Successes
Breaking bad habits isn’t always the easiest task and it doesn’t happen overnight. This can depend on how often you repeat the habit that you are trying to break. Whether it takes you 25 days or 25 weeks, all successes are worth celebrating. Research shows that, on average, new habits take 66 days to stick.
6. Change Your Surroundings
Whether you realize it or not, the environment that you are in has a big influence on you and your habits. Trying to break a habit while still being in that same environment can be quite challenging. For example, if you are trying to stop drinking, staying in an environment full of alcoholics or an environment that is constantly filled with booze can make the task of breaking a bad habit very difficult.
7. Don’t Be Scared to Ask for Help
Although asking for help or talking to someone about what you’re going through can sometimes be scary, it can be extremely beneficial for you. Therapy is a great way to work towards breaking bad habits, while it also provides you with other ways to help. Rather than defaulting to our bad habits, talking to a therapist can help to rewire our brains and form new and positive habits.
Addiction Recovery at Palmetto Addiction Recovery Centers
Addiction recovery at a professional treatment facility can provide you with support that you would not have at home. With a professional team, you can get help to manage your withdrawal symptoms, as well as managing your mental health symptoms.
Here at Palmetto Addiction Recovery Centers, our team of professionals understands that recovery is unique to everyone and will work with you to create a treatment plan that works best for you. If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use disorders, treatment professionals are standing by to help with a variety of treatment options. Call (318) 728-2970 or visit Palmetto Addiction Recovery Centers Today.