Developing good habits and sticking to them may be one of the toughest challenges we can undertake, even when the good results speak for themselves. What’s even harder is breaking bad habits altogether; let’s face it, they became a habit for a reason.
Whether your bad habits are impacting your health, your productivity, or even your social life, here are a few you might want to try kicking this spring.
Non-stop snacking
Overeating is a bad habit because it means you’re not listening to your body’s natural hunger and satisfaction signals, which leads to more overeating during meal times. Additionally, most things we like to snack on – crisps, chocolate, or crackers – are loaded with excess sugar and salt, which can increase the risk of diabetes or other serious conditions.
To kick the habit, wait until you’re physically craving food before you start to eat anything. Go through your cupboards and throw out any unhealthy snacks so you’re not tempted to get back into the habit. Instead, fill your pantry with fruits, vegetables, and nuts. Drinking water can also help curb your appetite for a while.
Smoking
Image SourceIt’s no secret that smoking is bad for your health, but unfortunately it’s also a tough habit to quit, even if the price of tobacco goes up. Luckily, there are many tools in place to help you quit smoking at your own pace; support groups, nicotine patches, or even just slowly cutting back. E-cigarettes are one of the newest tools to help people quit smoking. Find out more at E-Cigarette Myths – Lizard Juice.
Electronic devices
Have you ever looked up from the dinner table and noticed that everyone is glued to their phone? When was the last time you all sat at the table and talked to each other? Admittedly, electronic devices are useful, and a little bit addictive, but there is no reason to ignore your family and friends. Make a note to put your phone on vibrate whenever you’re out with your friends and only check your messages if you’re expecting something urgent. You should also try leaving your phone in a different room so you’re not distracted at the dinner table.
Coffee
While a single cup of coffee in the morning probably won’t do you much harm, drinking several cups of coffee in one day can cause anxiety and negatively affect normal sleep. If you have a hard time falling asleep at the end of the day, cutting back on caffeine is the first thing you should do.
Binge drinking
Image SourceYou may spend your weekdays completely sober, but getting drunk on the weekend is no better than drinking daily. Women who regularly consume two or more drinks a day and men who regularly down three or more are at higher risk for liver damage, various cancers including those of the liver and mouth, high blood pressure, and depression. Instead, limit your drinking to meal times, no more than two a day, and sip it slowly so your body isn’t overwhelmed.
