Habits can either produce good healthy fruits in our lives that motivates us to achieve our goals or, on the other hand, bad habits become a distraction and negatively impact our lives mentally, emotionally and physically.

How do bad habits form?

Most of the time bad habits are formed when we are either bored or stressed. Out of stress we may want to stress eat, drink more caffeine, go on wild shopping sprees as a means of distracting ourselves emotionally from our stress. The same goes for boredom, sometimes people may overeat due to feeling bored, or get lost in watching TV as a means of switching off emotionally. A bad habit may feel like a mini quick fix in the moment, but it never really fulfills or sorts out the heart of the issue, therefore, it remains an addictive bad habit within our lives.

Your habits, whether good or bad, play a vital role in shaping your character and lifestyle. Therefore, I think the question we need to ask ourselves: Are our day-to-day habits helping and aiding us when it comes to achieving our goals? Or do our habits distract us, cause us to be unhealthy and have a low self-esteem? It’s good to press pause sometimes and to ask ourselves these questions, as new habits (good or bad) form whether we are aware of them or not.

11 unhealthy habits to quit

  1. Stop checking social media nonstop.
  2. Stop trying to find your value and self-worth in other things or in people.
  3. Stop complaining all the time.
  4. Stop wasting time on negative unhealthy people.
  5. Stop trying to control everything.
  6. Stop trying to please everyone.
  7. Stop living in the past.
  8. Stop wasting time filling your soul and body with junk.
  9. Stop gossiping.
  10. Stop wasting time comparing yourself with others.
  11. Stop procrastinating.

The good news is that once we become aware of our bad habits, and understand why we automatically follow them, we can then begin the journey of replacing the old habit with a new healthier habit.

How to form a new healthy habit

  1. Focus on the new habit and start replacing the old habit with your new habit.
  2. Commit to the new habit for a minimum of 30 days.
  3. Know what triggers your bad habits.
  4. Create a plan of action going forward.
  5. Take baby steps when adjusting to the new healthy habit.
  6. Have accountability whilst adjusting to a healthier habit.
  7. Reflect and celebrate progress made.

Remember:

It takes 21 days to create a habit, and it takes 90 days to create a lifestyle. Therefore, commit to the process. Don’t merely strive for perfection and instant results, but rather instead pursue progress and good health going forward!