We’ve all heard it — bad habits are hard to break. However, it’s important to recognize that you have a habit that is impacting your life negatively and rebuild good habits instead. This is a difficult task for most people, but it is possible if you put the work in. If you have been trying to break a bad habit and are having trouble, our orthodontist in Orangeburg wants to offer some tips that may help!
Build Awareness
Being aware that you want to change your habits is the first step. Make a list of things you feel are negative or harmful in your life and take note when they affect you each day. This will build awareness of your actions and the impact they have on your everyday life, which will help lead to meaningful change in your habits.
Take Control
You must take control of your actions to change your habits. If you have a bad habit of doom scrolling through Twitter or Facebook, you have to exercise power and avoid going on these websites. This might mean deactivating your account or deleting the apps altogether. You’re in control of the methods you employ to stop that first step (logging in) that spurs your bad habit (doom scrolling). Just remember that the end result is a happier, more positive you!
Replace The Bad Habit
Habit stacking is an effective way to reward yourself for sticking to a new, good habit. All you have to do is attach the new habit to an existing one — for example, if you want to commit to reading a book before bed instead of being on your phone, set a book on your pillow (new habit) when you make your bed in the morning (existing habit) and don’t bring your phone into the room at night. Over time you will associate reading with settling in for sleep.
Don’t be hard on yourself if you can’t replace your bad habits immediately. It’s an active effort that you have to practice. Just don’t give up!
Contact Our Orthodontist in Orangeburg Today To Schedule An Appointment!
The information provided in this article is not meant to be medical advice and is for educational purposes only. If you would like to learn more about this and other topics related to orthodontics, feel free to contact White Brown Smiles, with a convenient orthodontic office in Orangeburg by clicking here or by calling 803.708.7390.