I have a bad habit which I know is not good for me. Let's take for instance, that In my case, I drink too many carbonated beverages which are empty calories. It's neither good for my health or my waistline.
But the problem is that I really enjoy this bad habit.
Yes, I know I can stop buying it, but what I'm looking for specifically is how to stop enjoying something that you know is bad for you.
For your answer, I don't need to hear ideas on just stopping drinking pop. That's not the issue, because this could relate to any bad behavior you want to change, not just drinking Pop. But what I'm looking for are ideas which will help me overcome the barrier that I do it because it's something I enjoy. How do you change THAT issue so you can stop a bad behavior???
How do you change things so you know longer enjoy a bad habit?
2006-12-15 05:04:07 · 10 answers · asked by Searcher 7 in Social Science ➔ Psychology
Mikah_smiles: your answer is on the right track. Thank you! I do pray, but God shows me that free will is my culprit. So I need to find a way to choose to stop.
Answers like Mikah's are very helpful!
2006-12-15 05:16:40 · update #1
It's not so much making so you don't enjoy the bad habit, but acknowledging that yes, you enjoy drinking pop (or whatever), but that it's not good for you and actively deciding to stop for those reasons.
Write down a list of what you get out of drinking pop (eg: makes me feel good, I enjoy the taste, etc) and then write down a list of problems it causes (rotting teeth, spending too much money, gets me jittery on caffeine and sugar, etc).
Every time you feel like having a soda (or whatever), take out the list, and read it. Then wait fifteen minutes before you have one to see if you just want one out of habit, or because you are actually thirsty. If you really are thirsty for the soda (or whatever), either drink something else, or distract yourself with a different activity. And limit yourself to the number of cans you can have in a day. So instead of having five cans a day, tell yourself you're only allowed to have three. When you're okay with only having three, cut back to two, then one, and then none at all.
Also, figure out when you crave the soda (or whatever). Is it when you're stressed? Is it when you're bored? If you can figure out what triggers you wanting the soda, you can take steps to avoid it or recognize when you want the soda. For example, I know that I always crave chocolate when I'm stressed. So I go and take a ten minute walk, and if I still want chocolate after the walk, I can buy myself a bar. But most of the time, the walk gets rid of the stress and by the end of it, I don't want the chocolate anymore.
It's a little hard to help when I'm not 100% sure what it is you're trying to break yourself of, but hopefully these techniques are nice and general enough to help you out.
Good luck!
2006-12-15 05:13:32 · answer #1 · answered by mikah_smiles 7 · 2⤊ 1⤋
Although you enjoy carbonated beverages, I wouldn't call it "bad behavior." A bad habit to me is something along the lines of smoking, maybe picking at belly-button lint in public (joke), or perhaps eating too fast.
If it's something you enjoy, that's just a personal perference. If you're seeking this change for health reasons, find a substitute.
It is possible to change your habit. You have to figure out what it is that you like about drinking carbonated beverages, i.e., do you like it for the fizziness of it, or do you like the caffine that many carbonated beverages have, or is it strictly for the fast, but temporary, sugar rush that you get.
Once that's identified, eliminate or substitute that in your diet for four to six weeks, without cheating.
For example, if you like pop for the fizziness, or for the sugar rush, try carbonated water (no sugars, unless it's flavored). If it's for the caffine, then you're addicted to a drug, and changing your habit will require alot more discipline and some tylenol.
Everytime you have the desire to drink a pop, or whatever, drink your substitute instead.
After you have accomplished this, you shouldn't even think about it anymore. From what I understand, it takes four to six weeks of consistantly doing the same thing to establish a habit, any habit, good or bad.
Good luck in your endeavors.
2006-12-15 05:48:49 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's much easier to replace a bad habit with a good one that to stop one. Rather than stopping think about substituting the habit with a good one. For example instead of drinking carbonated drinks drink something less damaging, even if you just get in the habit of drinking a glass of water first or change to diet drinks.
It may help to think of your habit as a psychological addiction, and in the case of food and drink addictions possibly physiological as well. The symptoms of addiction withdrawal are real regardless of whether it is your body or your brain that is addicted, you need to deal with those symptoms.
Remember it's easier to do something than to not do something so just make sure you do something good.
2006-12-15 05:28:40 · answer #3 · answered by gerrifriend 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Have you actually read some of the additional details on here? Many times the question was much better without them. Then too, additional details appear as you are answering or afterwards... There have been a few times that I've missed a part of the details or didn't read them.
2016-05-24 21:13:14 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read the book "Working with Anger"
By: Thubten Chodron.
I know your wondering why I would suggest this book, for your challenge.
She, the author, not only speaks of the wholesome alternatives to anger, and how to successfully practice the techniques, she also talks about any addiction, ie: anger, overeating, drinking to much soda, liquor, etc. And she gives very sound advice on how to successfully overcome any bad habit. The book is normally $12.95 at Barnes & Noble, and other book stores, but on Amazon.com a person can buy it for only $3.25 !
Happy Holidays to you and your family.
2006-12-15 05:21:14 · answer #5 · answered by Thomas 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to replace the bad habit with something good. Not easy. I had to quit drinking. Took me awhile and a lot of attempts before I succeeded.
2006-12-15 05:23:51 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Turn it into a good habit. Buy yourself a flat of pint sized bottles of water. Keep a supply in your refrigerator. Every time you want pop, grab a bottle of water and take a big sip. ...and smile!
2006-12-15 05:12:03 · answer #7 · answered by AnnieD 4 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Change your drink. I switched to Iced Tea. Tastes better and also helps in maintaining my waist. Now I drink Iced tea without sugar.
2006-12-15 05:18:03 · answer #8 · answered by Kalache 2 · 1⤊ 2⤋
life is short and there is no point of living if we don't have fun in it so i don't care about bad habits if i enjpy doing them
and also in the end every one dies so give urself agood life worth living
2006-12-15 05:10:31 · answer #9 · answered by i am dumb 1 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Pray about it ask God to help you!
2006-12-15 05:08:45 · answer #10 · answered by battle-ax 6 · 1⤊ 2⤋