Having bad habits is a given. We all have at least one bad habit in our lives that we have trouble getting rid of. According to a study conducted by the University of Melbourne, a majority of Australian women don’t eat healthy foods like fruit and vegetables and half of those are overweight. Additionally, many of these women also have bad habits like smoking and drinking that they can’t seem to quit.
The problem with bad habits is that they are, well, habits, and they can’t just go away that easily. Habits are a bit difficult to eradicate, that’s why there is a theory that can help you deal with bad habits.
This theory says that we can replace one bad habit with a good one. So, basically, what we would be doing is just changing one habit with another one. The difference is in types of habits – bad ones out, good ones in.
However, in order to do this, we have to start small. Going all in at once can have negative effects and can be counterproductive. We can’t expect to change everything immediately – we are talking about habits here.
What bad habits can you substitute with good ones?
Replace not-so-healthy snacks with healthy food
Your bad habit is eating unhealthy snacks and you just can’t seem to stop yourself. Unhealthy snacks like chocolate doughnuts, frozen snacks, Chips and Cheetos, crackers and so on. All of these snacks are either high in fats and calories or are low in protein and fiber. Food that is low in protein will not keep you full, meaning you’ll still be hungry after eating it and yet you have already taken in so many calories.
You can replace these snacks with healthy foods high in protein and fibers that will keep you full without all the extra fat and calories. These types of snacks include nut mixes, vegetables, and fruit, low-sugar snack bars, etc.
You don’t have to give up snacking and comfort food, all you have to do is substitute unhealthy snacks with healthy ones.
Replace alcohol with other drinks
Drinking alcohol is not only a very bad habit, but it’s also a habit that can become an addiction. If this isn’t the reason enough to quit drinking, I don’t know what it is. However, quitting alcohol can be tricky. That’s why there are options that can replace alcohol with non-alcoholic and sedative drinks.
Water is the first choice, of course. And if water doesn’t really work for you, you can try drinking tea – either chamomile or Kava tea. Both these kinds of teas are well known for their anti-anxiety and anti-depressant effects. So, when you see yourself reaching for the glass, make sure it’s the glass of water or tea.
Find smoking alternatives
Another bad habit that people have difficulties quitting is smoking. People who smoke think that quitting smoking will be easy, but once they try to quit, they see that it’s not all that easy as they thought.
Completely stopping and quitting smoking is a process that can last for a long time. That’s why so many people stop trying to quit once they see that it’s difficult.
Instead of immediately trying to quit, try substituting regular cigarettes with more modern alternatives. Electronic cigarettes use liquid nicotine and other different flavors instead of tobacco. They convert the liquid into a vapor that is later inhaled. Lately, these cigarettes are becoming more and more popular in more developed countries like Australia. If you want to inform on the different e-cigarette types, search the Internet for some quality brands of nicotine e-liquid in Australia.
Start exercising
You can make exercising a regular thing in your life. Only 30 minutes of exercising daily can completely change your life in no time. You will feel better, you’ll sleep better and you’ll transform your whole body and thus your overall health.
Plus, to exercise you don’t need to go to a gym, you can do it just about anywhere. At home, in a park, on your way from work even.
And if you think that this habit will stick better if you hit the gym, then do that. Anything to fit a bit of physical activity into your life.
Conclusion
Changing your bad habits can be done, but it takes you really wanting to change these habits. It all comes down to your will and desire to change. Let’s say that this certain bad habit is negatively affecting your health and you’re contemplating changing it while you still have time and while your health is still ok – would you do it? Would you change your habits for the sake of your health?
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