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How To Stop Bad Habits Without Feeling Deprived
Do you find that you can stop a habit for a short period of time but it returns? Have you tried to quit smoking, lose weight or discontinue an addiction without success?
Do you find that you can stop a habit for a short period of time but it returns? Have you tried to quit smoking, lose weight or discontinue an addiction without success?
Don’t let this be disheartening as habits are deep-rooted and there may be even family patterns of this problem that make the bad habit reinforced rather than challenged.
Taoism and Buddhism speak about attachment and that we aren’t who we think we are. Don’t say things like I am fat or I am someone who has to smoke. We take on a persona but this isn’t who we truly are. We fall into comfortable behaviors that reduce stress we think but it only causes more.
Try to reflect upon what you really get from the habit and if it really is fulfilling. Is it just a distraction or a way to hide pain? While you are engaged in the habit try to look at it. This is hard to do and takes a lot of concentration but is very worthwhile.
Sometimes we stop one thing but replace it with another. For instance people comment that they may quit smoking but then fall into an overeating addiction. This is really not getting at the root of the problem. Use visualization to help yourself see that you aren’t depriving yourself but instead you are losing yourself into an unconscious pattern.
In addition to not feeling deprived, focus on what you DO want. Think about the lightness you want to feel when you run after dropping thirty pounds or on the vision of your hands by overcoming nail biting.
Picture yourself in six months from now and how proud you’ll be of yourself. Replacing bad habits with good habits is a healthy way to overcome them. Often we feel better when we do this. If you are someone who eats oreos and goes to bed without brushing your teeth, try to commit to brushing them at night for a week. It is very satisfying to feel refreshed before going to bed.
Remember that habits weren’t formed overnight and they take time to change, but you can do this and your life will be fuller for doing so.