In our quest to break habits, it is very important to understand that a habit actually functions to meet one of our needs. That is how it came into being in the first place. No matter how negative or destructive a habit may be, we developed that habit to use it for something.
For example take the bad habit of biting fingernails. Many people bite their fingernails when they feel nervous. To them, biting fingernails is actually an outlet to release their nervousness and anxiousness. So that is the function of the habit of biting fingernails.
When you try to break a habit without getting a replacement to perform its function, you will eventually go back to the old habit. Such as in the biting fingernails example, if you do not have an alternative method to release your emotions of nervousness etc, youll eventually go back to biting fingernails.
So it is very important that you identify what the original function of your habit is. What did you gain on a physical, psychological and emotional level from partaking in that bad habit? Which needs did it meet? It may be to relieve pain, relieve boredom, to be an outlet for emotional release or something else.
Remember, when you kick a habit, you will be losing the function of that particular habit too. Without having an adequate replacement, you will unconsciously go back to doing that habit sooner or later.
To discover the function of a particular habit, it is often necessary to look deeper into ourselves and our actions. To do this, try to identify a pattern that regularly leads you to doing the habit. Look for indicators to help you find the original purpose which made you develop that habit in the first place.
Ask yourself questions such as when do I normally do it; what time of the day; what usually happens before I indulge in the habit; what am I doing at that time; what is the location; who was I with etc. After you have identified the need that is being met by the habit, you can find something to replace it.
Once you have identified the function of the habit and the need that is being met by it, then find an alternative to replace it. Think of an effective way to meet that need and use it whenever you become aware of the need for it. For example the next time you become nervous, instead of biting fingernails, try doing breathing exercises that will calm the body down.
Look for positive ways to fill that gap and ensure that the replacement is effective and adequate. Only through doing that will we kick a habit for the long term.
For example take the bad habit of biting fingernails. Many people bite their fingernails when they feel nervous. To them, biting fingernails is actually an outlet to release their nervousness and anxiousness. So that is the function of the habit of biting fingernails.
When you try to break a habit without getting a replacement to perform its function, you will eventually go back to the old habit. Such as in the biting fingernails example, if you do not have an alternative method to release your emotions of nervousness etc, youll eventually go back to biting fingernails.
So it is very important that you identify what the original function of your habit is. What did you gain on a physical, psychological and emotional level from partaking in that bad habit? Which needs did it meet? It may be to relieve pain, relieve boredom, to be an outlet for emotional release or something else.
Remember, when you kick a habit, you will be losing the function of that particular habit too. Without having an adequate replacement, you will unconsciously go back to doing that habit sooner or later.
To discover the function of a particular habit, it is often necessary to look deeper into ourselves and our actions. To do this, try to identify a pattern that regularly leads you to doing the habit. Look for indicators to help you find the original purpose which made you develop that habit in the first place.
Ask yourself questions such as when do I normally do it; what time of the day; what usually happens before I indulge in the habit; what am I doing at that time; what is the location; who was I with etc. After you have identified the need that is being met by the habit, you can find something to replace it.
Once you have identified the function of the habit and the need that is being met by it, then find an alternative to replace it. Think of an effective way to meet that need and use it whenever you become aware of the need for it. For example the next time you become nervous, instead of biting fingernails, try doing breathing exercises that will calm the body down.
Look for positive ways to fill that gap and ensure that the replacement is effective and adequate. Only through doing that will we kick a habit for the long term.
About the Author:
Want to improve your life? Author and self improvement enthusiast Ethan Beh has spent many years seeking, learning and practicing the best self improvement techniques available. Visit his website for his collection of personal development ideas which includes habit formation.
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