What is the habit you have that most annoys you and you really really really wish you didn’t do?
Remember, a habit is a behaviour that you do with little or no conscious thought – an autopilot action – from chewing your fingernail, swearing, smoking, binge eating, overspending or even innocuous ones like the order you put on your clothes in the morning or the route you drive to get home. They’re so automatic that you likely don’t even realize you’re doing them most of the time.
What’s wrong with habits? Nothing – habits are a big part of our life. The challenge comes when you want to stop them or change them.
When you have a habit you want to get rid of, you have three choices
- get rid of it (stop it altogether),
- change it (so you do something else or replace it with something harmless) or
- keep doing it and get over it.
I’ve found the easiest option is to change it. For example, say you always respond to the morning greeting you get from your coworkers with the same words. Maybe try a little experiment, to see if they’re really listening or if they’re running on automatic too. So tomorrow, you respond with the exact opposite of what you usually say. See if anyone notices. You can change it up as you feel like. Be unpredictable, have fun.
Getting rid of a habit takes determination. It sounds easy to simply say, “Stop it!” It doesn’t always feel that easy. In fact, some experts recommend you track the habit you want to get rid of for several weeks or even a month to find out how often you do it and what prompts you to do it.
Sometimes you need to get a friend or a coach to help you notice, whether it’s to help you notice you’re doing it or to fine yourself each time. It’s not reasonable to expect yourself to stop the first time you work on it. It can take patience, repetition and time to stop a habit. Stop chewing on the cuticle of my finger is my challenge. I’ve taken to sitting on my hand when I catch myself. Experts suggest that if you can persist for 30 days, you’ve made it!
The final alternative to a bad habit you have that you don’t like, is to let it go. Change your perspective. Maybe your habit allows you to do something for you – for some, smoking is quiet time away from people you work with and driving the long way home is thinking time, a bit more time for yourself. Love yourself anyway.
All habits save brain processing bandwidth and brain storage space. So you have more neurons to use for other things. What are you doing with extra brain capacity? Remember that old adage, if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it.
Make sure you’re exploring and starting new habits too. This gives your brain exercise. It keeps you sharp. Don’t forget that if you’re not using the freed up capacity, chances are the weeds are growing there, the neural roadway is getting narrower.
So have a look at your annoying habit and decide which approach is best for you today. Are you going to stop it, change it or keep it?
Be open to new habits too. What new or different things interest you to keep growing and expanding your brain bandwidth?
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Wendy Hardman, PhD trains individuals diagnosed with Early Onset Alzheimer’s and type 2 Diabetes to ease and improve symptoms. For details about her training programs, classes starting Oct 10th, visit: www.RemapYourBrain.com