Breaking Up With Old Habits - How to turn away from the destructive relationship with your habits. - Breaking a habit is like breaking off a bad relationship. Almost all of us have been there before; you became comfortable, it seemed so rewarding at first, but you have slowly seen the negative effects of having it in your life. You don’t know how to walk away and every time you try to let go, it keeps coming back. Stepping away from any type of comfort zone is never easy, but sometimes very necessary. After a breakup, it never hurts to have a new heart throb distract you from your old ways. In the same sense, replacing your bad habit with a new, self-improving one will help make the adjustment less painful. - Not all habits are created equal. Being a “creature of habit” can actually do you some good. They assist us throughout the day, turning complex tasks into no-brainer acts such as making a morning protein shake, taking a shower, or driving to and from the office. Habits can be a good thing; however, a negative habit can create a vice grip on your mind and actions that can be difficult to break. Just as habits take time to form, they take time to break as well. Often we find ourselves saying, “tomorrow I will stop,” but many tomorrows pass by. Don’t let another day slip away! This month I encourage you to throw away one bad habit. For this whole month let go of the one thing or act that is keeping you from living a healthier lifestyle, and replace it with a healthy habit. Is it your late night junk food binge, your consistent two glasses of wine a day, or maybe the three hours you spend in front of the TV after work every night? Whatever your vice may be, send it packing. If eating late is your downfall start brushing your teeth after dinner, making eating less appealing, or replace your mouthwatering crave with a cup of chamomile tea. Does wine have a hold on your heart? Instead of guzzling a bottle, have ½ glass red wine and ½ glass of sparkling water for a satisfying and low cal spritzer. Replace your TV time for some calorie burning entertainment by popping in a fitness DVD. Whatever your habit may be, small consistent adjustments to your lifestyle will soon make it fade from existence. The habit will most likely creep back from time to time, just like an old flame checking in to ruin your day. But don’t let it get the best of you. Slam the door in its face by going back to your new love of health and happiness. Breakups are never easy, but believe me there’s something better out there for you!
