How balanced are things in your life? Do you have more bad habits than good ones? If yes, you are like so many people who do not know how to stop unhealthy habits.
In a few days, the year 2022 will be over. It's been a year full of hope and a year of embracing changes, and the world has finally begun to gradually adjust to the new normal. People began to take their health checks to the next level, and the practice of having a healthy lifestyle began to dominate the internet. Numerous changes have occurred, most of which are headed in a positive direction.
The question is: What did you achieve this year? What have you become this year? What are the things you think you should do better next year?
This year might not be the year for some due to reasons that hinder them from fulfilling their goals; however, there are also those who are not able to achieve their goals because they choose not to. These people are those who let procrastination take over and let unhealthy habits take control.
Admit it or not, we are all victims of lame excuses and bad habits that hinder our growth and development. With this in mind, I consolidated FIVE HABITS you may consider to stop doing for the year 2023 to be more productive and successful.
1. Not planning and having unproductive routines
A recent study by the University of Scranton revealed that 92 percent of people who do not achieve their goal fail as a result of a lack of planning. Great things are the results of your plans way ahead of that big day. These plans are then accompanied by healthy and productive habits that will assist you in achieving your goal.
If you want to break a bad habit, substitute a better routine for it. Now that you have identified your unproductive routines, find solutions for them. If you are always on social media during your sleep time, plan to do it only for an hour. Losing your sleep at night due to these habits may mean that you go to bed when others wake up in the morning. Instead of exercising for an hour in the morning, maybe you now choose to fall asleep. Thus, write down solutions and decide when to execute them. Try to follow your schedule.
2. Eating junk food
You are what you eat.
Eat nutritious food, and you will be a healthy, full-of-energy individual. Eat junk food, then be prepared to have a lousy and boring day ahead of you. A poor diet is not at all helpful to your life, so it’s safe to say that giving into your sweet tooth at every craving is not a good call. To head off that junk food craving, don’t skip meals and keep healthier snack options on hand.
Do not waste your life on 30 minutes of tasty junk food. Your life and health are way more precious than a plastic bag or can of junk food. Choose wisely!
3. Physical Inactivity
With all the hours you put in at the office, it can be hard to find the opportunity and motivation to head to the gym. But yoga, Pilates, running, or even going on 15-minute walks will definitely help you live longer. The solution? Changing your perspective!
We were taught a long time ago that exercising and working out helps you become healthier and live longer lives.
Despite this knowledge, people continue to live their lives recklessly and prefer to spend their days lying down on their couch doing nothing. We are all guilty of this, but it is not too late to change! Do not waste any of your time doing nothing; wear your running shoes or go to the gym now! “The best time to start was yesterday and the second best time is now.”
4. Smoking and excessive consumption of alcohol
Most people are aware that smoking and heavy drinking are unhealthy habits, but not many realise just how much harm they can cause. Maybe you exercise regularly and eat healthily. Did you know that you can undo these good habits with bad ones like smoking and drinking?
Regular smoking and drinking increases your risk of cancers of the lung and liver. The damage to your body starts from smoking just one cigarette. Moreover, cigarettes contain more than 4,000 chemical compounds and 400 toxic chemicals that include tar, carbon monoxide, DDT, arsenic and formaldehyde.
Any amount and type of smoking is bad for your health.
Heavy drinking can lead to many serious health conditions. Binge drinking can cause immediate problems such as acute intoxication, nausea and vomiting, blurred vision, impaired judgment and alcohol poisoning.
5. Surrounding yourself with negative People
Just like a plant, you grow with the right people and in the right environment.
Do not associate yourself with people who exude negativity. Their mindset is becoming yours. Be careful who you surround yourself with. Always choose your well-being and always go to a place where your growth and development are a priority.
Be strong and know when enough is enough! Letting go of negative people doesn't mean you hate them or that you wish them harm; it just means you care about your own well-being. Every time you subtract negatives from your life, you make room for more positives.
Hiring a coach is one way to help you see the world through the lens of positivity. Coaches help you reach your goals and pave the way to success. They are your eyes and flashlights when you are blinded by darkness and surrounded by negativity.
Changing bad habits is a continuous struggle for everyone. You will struggle to maintain consistency as you end them one by one. Do not feel too disappointed when you fail. Stick to your habit goals even if you lack consistency.
Strive to become a better person every day because it is quite a long journey. Once you find the perfect balance for your life, keep at it. Take it one step at a time, and soon enough, you will be surprised that you have reached your destination!