All of us, at one point in our lives, have struggled with dependency, addiction, or being caught in the grip of bad habits. But you always have a choice. Freeing yourself from the confines of habits you’ve developed to comfort yourself or make yourself feel “better” is a challenging situation.
A lot of people, especially those with more destructive addictions and behaviors, can’t break away on their own.
You have to be honest with yourself before you can begin to heal. If you’re reading this article – you’re either in the clutches of your bad habits or maybe it’s someone close to you who’s lost their way.
Kicking your addictions and compulsions to the curb starts with you.
This is an uphill battle. But it isn’t something you have to do alone. Step one is acknowledging your dependency. Step two is coming to grips with your problem and accepting the fact that you must make the commitment to break your bad habits. If you can do those two things you’re already ahead of the game. But, you can’t stop there.
The next step is working with a credentialed coach or another qualified professional to keep you accountable. When life tries to tempt you into severing your commitment to being a better version of yourself, and it will, you’ll need competent help. An experienced coach can help you discover and connect to your core values. I help my clients stay connected to their “why” every day. Your WHY is what keeps you on the right path when addiction tries to lure you back.
You need to figure out when to tell yourself “no!”
How Do You Identify Your Bad Habits?
Before you can solve the problem, you have to know and admit it exists. Some habits are less disruptive than others – but that doesn’t mean they aren’t harmful to your overall well-being and success.
Being on your phone all the time can be physically and mentally harmful, yet the consequences are often invisible in the short term. On the other hand, addiction to drugs yields more obvious consequences. The havoc that these addictions wreak on one’s relationships and physical health is clear.
But there are ways to tell if your seemingly inconsequential routines are actually bad habits that affect your health.
If you feel like you have to hide your habit from others, especially the most important people in your life, it’s more than likely you have a problem. If you feel like you can only share it with others who have the same habit, ask yourself if it’s because you’re ashamed or embarrassed by your behavior.
Dysfunction and misery love company.
When you think about this particular behavior, can you afford to ignore how it affects your physical or mental health? Has it created tension in your relationships with others – particularly with those closest to you? Does it break your mental, emotional, and financial bank account?
Do you depend on it for happiness or relief despite the unfavorable effects it has on other areas of your life?
If you answered yes to some or all of these questions – you have a serious problem that goes beyond a simple bad habit. One that’s controlling your life and severely impacting your ability to cope in a healthy way.
Getting coaching or therapy is not a sign of weakness. Bad habits trigger the release of dopamine in your brain and we all have difficulty resisting our natural psychological urges¹. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t address these urges if they’re causing issues in your life.
Let’s dive into what you can do to start your journey to a healthier and happier you.
How to Break Bad Habits
Once you’ve decided to get yourself in line, there are crucial steps to breaking bad habits.
You don’t need to try to be strong all by yourself.
Giving yourself permission to get help takes courage and self-respect.
That leads us to the first step you can take to stop your detrimental patterns and move forward in a healthy way.
- Get professional help.
Make sure you’re bringing in the right person to help you stay in line with your goals and your commitment to yourself. Depending on the severity of your addiction – you’ll either need a highly skilled credentialed coach or a licensed therapist. Sometimes you need both.
A therapist can help you unpack and heal trauma – if your behavior is influenced by a traumatic experience or situation.
And an ICF-credentialed coach can assist you in moving forward. Seeking professional assistance is a great way to hold yourself accountable. And the right professional can guide you to find answers and solutions. You’ll have the support you need to drop your bad habits and destructive behaviors.
- Prepare to invest in yourself.
If you’ve been draining your bank account to fund your unhealthy habit, spending money on getting better should be a no-brainer. You’ve spent money on the decline of your health and well-being, so now invest in the opposite.
You deserve to be happy and healthy. Do whatever you need to make yourself believe that.
And while it’s slightly harsh, remember that the cost of a divorce, broken relationships, and a funeral is much more expensive than investing in your well-being.
- Be willing to change your environment.
As much as we like to think we can overcome anything, we need to give ourselves a fighting chance. Sometimes you have to take yourself out of the environment that’s fueling your bad habits. While it’s usually impossible to avoid triggers completely, changing your environment can help you significantly decrease the frequency of engaging in your bad habit².
If this article is resonating with you, don’t ignore your gut. Make the changes you need to make in order to live a more fulfilling and healthy life.
Time Is Precious – Don’t Wait
If you’re struggling with anything from a small destructive habit to a debilitating addiction, don’t waste more of your time struggling. What you do or don’t do today will greatly affect your tomorrow. It’s up to you whether it’s a positive impact or a negative one.
It’s tempting to think time is on your side. But the truth is – we don’t know what will happen tomorrow. This is a great reason to do all you can to make the time you do have worth it.
You’re never too far gone to get back on the right track.
Book a call with me today if you read this article and think this might be you. At first glance, it may seem like your bad habits aren’t destroying your life. But you shouldn’t allow yourself to engage in activities that make your life even a little bit worse.
So if you’re ready to take control of your happiness and health, let’s chat. I’ll help you figure out a way forward that has you free and clear of your bad habits.
Dr. D Ivan Young is an expert on human behavior and relationships. He’s a Master Credentialed expert on personality type, an ICF Credentialed Master Certified Coach Certified Professional Diversity Coach, and a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. Dr. Young is also a member of the prestigious Forbes Coaches Council.