How to Build New Healthy Habits

“First, repetition, next a habit, then a lifestyle.” – Sharlene Styles It’s often been said that we’re creatures of habit. That may be true, although habits can be changed, if you’re motivated enough. This means that you are not stuck forever, trapped in bad behavior you’ve allowed to haunt you for years, forever tainted by past mistakes, failures and setbacks. You have the power to create the life you want to live, including learning how to build new healthy habits. I won’t presume to dictate what everyone should try. I can, however, share what’s worked well for me. As a preamble, I confess to having perhaps an inordinate number of bad habits I’ve had to work through. Some I latched onto by watching others’ behavior, while most were ones I just picked up on my own. Having fallen down enough times to realize that I needed to make some better life choices, I’ve determined that I alone am responsible for my actions. I can and have learned how to ditch old, bad habits and switch to healthier ones. I’ll call these tips my five Rs on how to build new healthy habits. Recognize. It won’t do you any good to blunder through life repeating the same behavior that’s caused you problems numerous times. It’s also unproductive to blame your parents, upbringing, socioeconomic status, lack of education, friends, a job or career, money or prestige for your behavior. Take responsibility and scrutinize what you’ve been doing so you can recognize not only your ba...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Happiness Health-related Psychology Self-Help Source Type: blogs