Good habits require effort, bad habits don't.
We all know what a bad habit means. Smoking, eating junk food, excessive alcohol consumption and a sedentary lifestyle are just some of the things that should be avoided in order to feel better. If we know that bad habits are so harmful to our health, why do we continue to do them?
Why can't we resist bad habits?
We all sometimes indulge in behaviors that we know are not good for us. There are quite a few reasons why we still continue with these habits.
Bad habits give us the comfort we need
Our basic need is to feel comfortable and we will do whatever it takes to achieve that state. The most common hidden purpose of bad habits is comfort. Our brains they are based on reward, and our "reward" is a feeling of comfort, which is triggered by the release of dopamine (the hormone of happiness). This makes us crave this habit even more and associate a good feeling with a bad habit.
This explains why we continue to indulge in bad habits and find it hard to stop: we feel comfortable and basically exist in our “safe zone”. In other words, the prize attracts us even though we know that habit is bad for us. Smoking a cigarette during breaks at work causes the brain to associate this habit with relaxation from work. Or, for example, they associate the consumption of alcohol with relaxation, because with it you relax and/or have fun after a hard work week. Also interesting is the thought of sporting effort, which is overcome by the easier thought of sitting on the couch and watching your favorite television programs. This way you can see how easily the habit is associated with the reward.
"Everyone else has bad habits too!"
We tend to, yes we rationalize our bad behavior, if this seems acceptable to the whole society. If a lot of people are doing the same thing, then there is nothing wrong with us doing it too. It's not hard to find socially acceptable bad habits. Let's say:; snacking, skipping or skipping exercises, smoking... This causes internal rationalization, for example "Just one more won't hurt" or "I will try harder next week, I had a stressful day today". These momentary justifications are driven by guilt because we know we probably aren't making the best decisions in the long run.
Sometimes we look for examples in other people that confirm our decisions about bad habits, for example "My grandfather smoked every day and lived to be 90 years old." Our mind likes to find evidence to support our decisions, good or bad.
Consequences of continuing bad habits
Most people know the consequences of such bad habits. Cigarette packs carry cancer warnings. Through various advertisements, attention is drawn to the importance of a healthy diet and the need to be more active. But what are the real long-term consequences of continuing bad habits?
- cancer, various diseases and cell damage
- depression
- physical discomfort
- psychological problems
Most of these problems can be subtle and gradual, meaning they are not immediately noticed.
How to stop these bad habits?
It is difficult to stop habits that are deeply embedded in our daily lives. Since stress is sometimes the main trigger of a bad habit, the solution lies in reprogramming our mind.
1. First, let's pay attention to what these habits are and how often we do them
What exactly triggers this habit? Is it an unconscious decision? Let's ask ourselves why we developed this habit in the first place.
2. We promise ourselves that we want to eliminate this bad habit
Now we understand what can trigger it. Can we find something positive to replace it? For example, we reach for chocolate after a hard day, can we find a healthier reward? Or do we reduce the amount of chocolate? If stress might be our trigger, try running and give your brain a reason to release dopamine.
3. Let's be consistent
The key to forming new habits is consistency. Yes, it's hard for a while, but the brain soon adapts to new ways of doing things until everything feels natural to us. Let's change the reward system and stick to new positive habits.
It's all about getting ready for a new, positive way of thinking
Living a happier, more positive life starts with the habits we choose. Let's be aware of the direction we are directing our habits and start changing our mindset into an investment in our health and well-being. It's not just about your future self, but also about living in the present moment – in a positive and healthy way.
