Healthwatch by Shyft

Go back

Making and breaking: Habits

Making and breaking: Habits
Content
Content

Habits are a fundamental part of our lives. They dictate our daily routines, shape our behaviour, and ultimately determine our long-term outcomes. Whether we’re looking to adopt new healthy habits or break old bad ones, understanding the science of habit formation is key. In this blog post, we’ll explore some practical tips and strategies for making and breaking old habits.

Making New Habits

The first step in making new habits is to identify the specific behaviour you want to adopt. This could be anything from exercising regularly to meditating daily. Once you’ve identified the behaviour, the next step is to establish a cue or reminder that triggers the behaviour. This could be anything from a specific time of day to a particular visual or auditory cue.

The key to making new habits is to start small and build gradually. For example, if you want to start exercising regularly, start with just five minutes a day and gradually increase the time as the habit becomes more ingrained. It’s also important to track your progress and reward yourself for sticking to your new habit. This could be as simple as checking off a box on a habit tracker or treating yourself to something you enjoy.

Setting goals is an important part of creating lasting change in habits. Here are a few tips to help you set goals to change your habits:

  1. Make your goals specific and measurable. Rather than setting a vague goal like “exercise more,” set a specific goal like “go for a 30-minute walk every day.”
  1. Start small and build gradually. Setting overly ambitious goals can be discouraging and lead to setbacks. Start with small, achievable goals and gradually increase the difficulty as the habit becomes more ingrained.
  1. Set a timeline for achieving your goals. This helps create a sense of urgency and provides motivation to stick to your new habit.
  1. Write down your goals and track your progress. This can be as simple as keeping a journal or using a habit-tracking app.
  1. Reward yourself for achieving your goals. This could be something as simple as treating yourself to a favourite food or activity.

Breaking Old Habits

Breaking old habits can be a bit trickier, but it’s certainly possible with the right approach. The first step is to identify the specific behaviour you want to change. This could be anything from smoking to procrastination. Once you’ve identified the behaviour, the next step is to identify the trigger or cue that prompts the behaviour.

The key to breaking old habits is to substitute new behaviour for the old one. For example, if you want to stop smoking, you might substitute chewing gum or going for a walk every time you feel the urge to smoke. It’s also important to enlist the help of friends or family members and to avoid situations that trigger the old habit.

Common Obstacles

There are several common obstacles that can make it difficult to make or break habits. One of the most common is a lack of motivation or willpower. This can be overcome by setting specific goals and focusing on the benefits of the new habit. It’s also important to avoid negative self-talk and to surround yourself with positive influences.

Another common obstacle is stress or boredom. Habits often serve as a coping mechanism for these emotions, so it’s important to identify healthier ways to deal with stress and boredom. This could include exercise, meditation, or engaging in a hobby.

Finally, it’s important to recognize that habits are a journey, not a destination. It’s normal to slip up or experience setbacks, but the key is to get back on track and keep moving forward. With the right mindset, approach, and support, making and breaking habits is a journey that can lead to long-term success.

Conclusion

Habits are a powerful force in our lives, shaping our daily routines and influencing our long-term outcomes. Whether we’re looking to make new healthy habits or break old bad ones, understanding the science of habit formation is key. By identifying the specific behaviour, establishing a cue or reminder, starting small, and tracking progress, we can make new habits that lead to long-term success. By identifying the trigger, substituting a new behaviour, enlisting support, and avoiding triggers, we can break old habits and create lasting change. With the right mindset, approach, and support, making and breaking habits is a journey that’s well worth taking.


Author:
Shyft Health

Shyft

linkedin
Shyft is your trusted source for health and wellness insights. We collaborate with a network of writers and health experts to curate evidence-based content. This content is further vetted and reviewed by our team of internal experts. Our platform is dedicated to providing you with reliable, accessible health information so you can make informed choices for a healthier life. read more

Over 20,000 customers have reduced their symptoms and improved their health by consulting Shyft's Clinical Nutritionists. When are you starting?

READ MORE ON :

Article By:

Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles
when new information becomes available.

Read more

Continue to read on a range of topics related to Exercise, Nutrition, Mental Health and Sleep Health.

Cracking the Code: Understanding and Treating Dry Skin

How to manage dry skin? Dry skin is a common condition that can cause itching, flaking, and tightness. Genetic factors, harsh soaps, cold weather, and low humidity can cause it. If you're struggling with dry skin, there are several things you can do to manage the condition and keep your skin looking and feeling its best. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the best ways to manage dry skin. Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser A gentle, hydrating cleanser… Read more

Most read

Cracking the Code: Understanding and Treating Dry Skin

Cracking the Code: Understanding and Treating Dry Skin

How to manage dry skin? Dry skin is a common condition that can cause itching, flaking, and tightness. Genetic factors, harsh soaps, cold weather, and low humidity can cause it. If you're struggling with dry skin, there are several things you can do to manage the condition and keep your skin looking and feeling its best. In this blog post, we'll discuss some of the best ways to manage dry skin. Use a gentle, hydrating cleanser A gentle, hydrating cleanser…

book

3 minutes

|

calendar

29 Jul 2023

Most read

Noticing the Early Signs of Diabetes

3 minutes

26 Apr 2023

Noticing the Early Signs of Diabetes

There is a reason why India is known as the world’s Diabetes capital. According to WHO, India accounts for one out of every six diabetic patients worldwide. Every year, the total number of diabetes patients in the country grows at a reasonable pace.Diabetes Mellitus simply referred to as diabetes, is a metabolic condition in which your body is unable to use the glucose in your bloodstream. When you eat, glucose is released and this glucose, also known as blood sugar,… Read more

Noticing the Early Signs of Diabetes

Noticing the Early Signs of Diabetes

There is a reason why India is known as the world’s Diabetes capital. According to WHO, India accounts for one out of every six diabetic patients worldwide. Every year, the total number of diabetes patients in the country grows at a reasonable pace.Diabetes Mellitus simply referred to as diabetes, is a metabolic condition in which your body is unable to use the glucose in your bloodstream. When you eat, glucose is released and this glucose, also known as blood sugar,…

book

3 minutes

|

calendar

26 Apr 2023

10 Habits to quit right now

3 minutes

23 Jul 2023

10 Habits to quit right now

We all have habits, both good and bad, that shape our lives. While cultivating positive habits can be life-changing, it is equally important to recognize and eliminate harmful habits that hold us back. In this article, we will discuss ten habits that you should quit right now to improve your health and well-being. Binge-Watching Binge-watching is a popular pastime, but it can have serious consequences on your health. Sitting for prolonged periods can lead to weight gain, back pain, and… Read more

10 Habits to quit right now

10 Habits to quit right now

We all have habits, both good and bad, that shape our lives. While cultivating positive habits can be life-changing, it is equally important to recognize and eliminate harmful habits that hold us back. In this article, we will discuss ten habits that you should quit right now to improve your health and well-being. Binge-Watching Binge-watching is a popular pastime, but it can have serious consequences on your health. Sitting for prolonged periods can lead to weight gain, back pain, and…

book

3 minutes

|

calendar

23 Jul 2023

From Gout to Diabetes: High Uric Acid Levels and Comorbidities

The human body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines, which are found in many foods and occur naturally. In healthy individuals, the body eliminates uric acid through urine, but when the levels of uric acid become too high, it can lead to several health problems. High uric acid levels are associated with several comorbidities, which are additional health problems that occur along with a primary disease or disorder. Here is a look at some of the most common… Read more

From Gout to Diabetes: High Uric Acid Levels and Comorbidities

From Gout to Diabetes: High Uric Acid Levels and Comorbidities

The human body produces uric acid when it breaks down purines, which are found in many foods and occur naturally. In healthy individuals, the body eliminates uric acid through urine, but when the levels of uric acid become too high, it can lead to several health problems. High uric acid levels are associated with several comorbidities, which are additional health problems that occur along with a primary disease or disorder. Here is a look at some of the most common…

book

3 minutes

|

calendar

05 Apr 2023