How to Acquire Healthy Habits and Quit Bad Ones?

It is very difficult to maintain a fitness routine. After all, most of us have started it more than once. To achieve health goals, you've got to make fitness a habit. Habits are a powerful force controlling our mind, body and emotions. Habits, good or bad, make you who you are.

When we do something over and over again, the action becomes habit for us. Once we've formed a habit, they become second nature. A habit can be formed in as little as 10 days, depending on the amount of repetition. Whether the habits are good or bad is dependent on other areas. Good habits are basic things in everyday life that can make things easier, more efficient, and better for everyone.

How do I form a good habit?

Developing good health habits - like eating breakfast every morning, walking every day for 30 minutes, including more fruits in your diet and brushing your teeth 2 times a day - will prevent illness and help you live a happier life. Here is a list of things that you need to undertake to make a good action a 'habit':

• Step 1: Clarify the objective
  

  List the reasons why you want to start a good habit. Gain more clarity as to why should you make this action a ‘Habit'. Writing your thoughts down will help put everything in perspective.

• Step 2: Set a goal
  

  Unless you are clear about the result you want, you will not be able to decide which habits to develop. Write the goals down, and post them all around. In your kitchen, bedroom, office, even the bathroom if necessary. Also, set a date by which you will reach your goal.

• Step 3: Just Do It
  

  After you have determined what needs to be changed or improved, just do it. It is all about action. And remember, it's better to start small and build on your small victories than to get frustrated and quit altogether.

• Step 4: Commit to a 30 day period
  

  Three to four weeks is all the time you need to make a habit automatic. You should focus only on one change for thirty days. By doing so, you will be much more focused on it, less likely to forget about it, and your chances of making it a permanent part of your life will increase dramatically. Whether one acts every day or takes occasional time off, the month-long commitment appears to be vital to ingrain a habit.

• Step 5: Be consistent
  

  Consistency is critical if you want to make a habit stick. Ensure you repeat the habit activity at least 3 times a week, daily is better. Make sure there are no disruptions from the schedule. The more consistent your habit the easier it will be to stick.

• Step 6: Reward yourself
  

  Habits are best formed when they are rewarding. Once you've met those goals, treat yourself; as long as the treat isn't anything you're trying to quit.

How do I quit a bad habit?

We all want to quit bad habits we have that can cause serious health problems - such as smoking, eating junk food, skipping breakfast and living a sedentary lifestyle. Bad habits are automatic behaviors that can be changed with patience and persistence. Here are a few things that you need to undertake to quit a bad habit:

• Step 1: Question why you want to quit
  

  First, you have to identify the habit you are trying to dump. People who acknowledge that they need to make a change in their life are more likely to achieve that change.

• Step 2: Find the Triggers
  

  With many bad habits, there's a specific point where your good intentions become derailed by events. What things trigger the urge to do the bad habit? Make a plan to avoid them.

• Step 3: Substitute
  

  It is often easier to replace a bad habit with a good habit than it is to simply eliminate that bad habit. Add competing desirable behaviors to compensate for the elimination of bad habits.

• Step 4: Get support
  

  Find someone who will go along with you and keep you motivated. Make a public commitment to everyone you know that you're going to quit it.

• Step 5: Be flexible
  

  Don't expect all your attempts to change habits to be successful immediately. Try to catch yourself when you find yourself doing the habit and stop yourself as soon as you can. Change, and especially the giving up of severe addictions, is an up and down journey. Remain flexible during the whole process and avoid feeling guilty.

We all have habits that are in place or developing. But Take control of your life and habits and start living the life of your dreams now.