How To Stop Bad Habits: Stop Being Controlled By: Jill P Cohen

Whether it's smoking, scratching your head or reacting constantly to traffic situations with negative emotions, we all have bad habits. Some bad habits are harmless towards others but still can injure yourself. An example of this is to beat yourself up if you make a mistake at work . Other bad habits can be considered personality flaws and these include sarcasm or nervous laughter when agitated. They vary by the individual and can be funny but there are instances where a bad habit can cost a person their job or other important relationship. A bad habit can also lower your self-esteem and make you feel that you are not a good person.

Sometimes when a person has been approached by someone else commenting about a particular habit, then that may be the inspiration to either cut back or stop it altogether. If the person says the comment with care , it can make a big difference. For instance, if someone you care about asks you why you tend to always be late, you may take some time and honestly ask that of yourself. If you get defensive, then try to think about it alone when no one is around. In other instances, it may take several persons over a period of time to make a comment that triggers something in the brain that will make them stop it. Sometimes watching someone with a similar habit can make a deep impression on us that can increase the motivation to change. Even seeing a movie, one can be very moved watching a character's struggle and how he overcomes something in himself.

If a person wants to break a habit, here are a few suggestions :

Write down what habit you repeat and why you want to stop it. Look at how it began and what it is giving you
psychologically. See how it takes away from your life and uses up a lot of energy and your time.

Join a support group such as overeaters anonymous, alcoholics anonymous or a group for ocd if that is your issue.
By talking to other people with the same issues, it can help to see how it holds you back from a full life.

Replace the pattern with a new pattern. For instance, when you are about to react to someone cutting you off while
driving with rage, think about their situation. Are they stressed out? Perhaps they are under pressure from work
or family life. Work on relaxing your muscles and feeling empathy for someone when you feel rage.

By practicing new good habits you'll be able to break free of the past.

Tired of repeating old patterns? Learn how to Get Rid of Bad Habits at http://www.elegantbank.com/badhabits.html

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