The Art of Breaking a Habit
By: Emma Comeaux
Tags: Life Lessons, Education, Motivation, Advice, Healing

The Art of Breaking a Habit

Life-Altering Tips To Lose The Bad Habit

Photo by Taylor Young on Unsplash

I’ll be the first person to tell you that I have cultivated a long list of horrendous habits over the course of my life. From smoking, to disordered eating, to lacking discipline. I’ve failed to protect myself and my future from my own destructive habits just like most other people.

To Break a Habit we Must First Understand How They’re Made

There are a couple of theories on how habits are formed, but personally I believe in the idea of “The 3 R’s.”

Reminder: A reminder is a trigger or feeling that results in…

Routine: The behavioral result of the reminder. The reminder could be leaving the room, and the routine could be turning the lights off… or it could be something far less beneficial to your utility bill.

Reward: This is what is associated with the routine that reinforces the “goodness” of the habit. An example is, often time people smoke to relieve stress. The alleviation of stress is the reward associated with the routine of smoking.

So not that we know how habits are formed, lets talk about how to break them.

What triggers your habit?

Identify what insinuates the need to partake in the habit you want to break.

Where do you frequently act on the habit? At what time? What feelings trigger the action? Does it happen right after a certain event or action?

Research suggests that the change you want to make will be easier to make if you believe that that change is beneficial to you and your wellbeing.

How Can Breaking This Habit Help You?

Research suggests that the change you want to make will be easier to make if you believe that that change is beneficial to you and your wellbeing.

Examine why you want to break this habit and the benefits that would come from breaking the habit.

Can Practicing Mindfulness Help Break The Habit?

According to The Mayo Clinic, mindfulness is a form of meditation in which you focus on being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling in that moment, without interpretation or judgement.

Becoming more aware of your routine and the triggers that cause your habits you may find it easier to break that habit.

Remember You Will Fail… And That’s Okay

Breaking a habit is not a straight line to success. Change is hard, but don’t let a slip-up slow down your progress any more than it has to.

Learn from your mistakes and visualize the life you imagine for yourself. Focusing on your goal will motivate you to pick yourself back up. Focus on your successes instead of the lack thereof. It doesn’t have to be all-or-nothing.

Take Care of Yourself

Sometimes we form a certain habit because we are lacking a healthier option in it’s place. Maybe you don’t get enough sleep, so you take a late night smoke break?

Pay attention to what your body needs, and let those needs be your focus instead of the habit.

Get enough sleep.

Eat meals that fill you up and are good for you.

Take time to yourself.

Implement physical activity into your day.

Reward Yourself For Your Progress

Breaking a habit is hard work. Don’t forget to focus on the progress you’ve made and to treat yourself because of it. You deserve to celebrate your successes.