Stop bad habits

1. A while ago you were completely ready: get rid of that cigarette or never eat sweets again. A short while later you are already back in your old, unhealthy lifestyle. How do you get a grip on your habits?

1. How is it possible that you really want to change something, but you just don't succeed? There are several reasons. First, such a habit means a lot more to you than you think.

No conscious choices

1. A cigarette is relaxing and a biscuit or chips cozy. While that is actually because you sit comfortably on the couch with your friend. Or because you escape a stressful situation with that cigarette. The next bottleneck of habits is that they are no longer conscious choices. You do it without thinking about it. You don't consciously stuff yourself with calorie bombs that damage your health? In addition, changes, such as good intentions, bring a lot of uncertainty. You naturally try to protect yourself from pain and discomfort. You don't really want to hear such a conclusion that you are not doing something right. It makes you anxious and confused. So you'd rather keep everything the same.

Pitfalls

1. So that habit means something to you. If you take it away, something has to replace it. If you suddenly find yourself empty-handed in a stressful situation, chances are you will revert to what you already know. And voilà, you smoke again. And once you've smoked a cigarette, or skipped a night of sports, chances are you'll give up completely. In psychology they call this the 'What the hell' effect. The more negatively you think about yourself because of that mistake, the more likely you are to drop out completely. If you have failed in a quit attempt before, this feeling is even stronger. Then there are the temptations. Your environment puts you under pressure, you pass that bakery where you always got a tompouce, or watch your favorite series and miss the nibbles. Not all those situations can be avoided, and then you have to remember very well why you no longer wanted that. The good news is, old habits are behaviors. So they can be learned, but also unlearned! Use the following tactics to make your new lifestyle resolutions: Don't see your intentions as a punishment, but look at it from a positive angle. Don't think: I'm not allowed to eat anything. But: I want to make healthier choices. List other fun things you can do. Hang these up and choose if you feel the 'bad' need arise from one of these nice things. It does you good and you don't have to feel guilty

2. So that habit means something to you. If you take it away, something has to replace it. If you suddenly find yourself empty-handed in a stressful situation, chances are you will revert to what you already know. And voilà, you smoke again. And once you've smoked a cigarette, or skipped a night of sports, chances are you'll give up completely. In psychology they call this the 'What the hell' effect. The more negatively you think about yourself because of that mistake, the more likely you are to drop out completely. If you have failed in a quit attempt before, this feeling is even stronger. Then there are the temptations. Your environment puts you under pressure, you pass that bakery where you always got a tompouce, or watch your favorite series and miss the snacks. Not all those situations can be avoided, and then you have to remember very well why you no longer wanted that. The good news is, old habits are behaviors. So they can be learned, but also unlearned! Use the following tactics to make your new lifestyle resolutions: Don't see your intentions as punishment, but look at it from a positive angle. Don't think: I'm not allowed to eat anything. But: I want to make healthier choices. List other fun things you can do. Hang these up and choose if you feel the 'bad' need arise from one of these nice things. It does you good and you don't have to feel guilty