Saturday, January 21, 2006
GOOD ADVICE FOR BAD HABITS
HERE ARE SOME TECHNIQUES TO USE IN BREAKING BAD HABITS:
BAD HABIT: HOOKED ON JUNK FOOD.
ASK YOURSELF: WHY AM I EATING TOO MUCH? IS IT STRESS? AM I LONELY, DISAPPOINTED?
MAKE A CHANGE: START SMALL -- ALLOW YOURSELF JUNK FOOD TWO DAYS A WEEK; TAKE A WALK WHEN CRAVINGS HIT. TRY LOSING WEIGHT WITH A FRIEND OR GROUP. EXERCISE TO REDUCE STRESS AND WEIGHT.
BAD HABIT: SMOKING
ASK YOURSELF: WHY AM I SMOKING? IS IT ANXIETY? FEAR? BECAUSE I'M BORED?
MAKE A CHANGE: IF YOU DECIDE TO QUIT SMOKING, SET A STOP DATE. SEEK SUPPORT FROM FRIENDS, PROGRAMS. SEE A DOCTOR FOR HELP WITH THE PHYSICAL ADDICTION TO NICOTINE; AVOID SITUATIONS AND FRIENDS THAT TRIGGER THE URGE; TAKE UP EXERCISE, HOBBIES; EXPECT LAPSES.
BAD HABIT: DISORGANIZED
ASK YOURSELF: WHY DON'T I WANT TO THROW THINGS OUT? DO CLUTTERED SPACES MAKE ME COMFORTABLE? WHY IS THAT? HOW DOES IT MAKE MY HOME LIFE OR WORK LIFE DIFFICULT?
MAKE A CHANGE: TRY SPENDING 10 MINUTES IN THE MORNING AND 10 MINUTES EVERY NIGHT TO BRING SOME ORDER; HIRE AN ORGANIZER IF YOU'RE WAY BEHIND; AND IF IT'S IN THE LIBRARY, WHY KEEP IT AT HOME?
BAD HABIT: CHRONIC TARDINESS
ASK YOURSELF: WHY AM I LATE? ANGER OR RESENTMENT? AM I SIMPLY ABSENT-MINDED? DISORGANIZED?
MAKE A CHANGE: SET AN EARLIER DEADLINE FOR YOURSELF.
BAD HABIT: ROAD RAGE
ASK YOURSELF: AM I TIRED? NOT EATING WELL? STRESSED OUT? AM I ANGRY ABOUT OTHER TOPICS? DO YOU IMAGINE THAT THE PERSON WHO IS CUTTING YOU OFF HAS IT IN FOR YOU?
MAKE A CHANGE: LEAVE EARLIER -- REDUCES THE STRESS; DEVELOP COMPASSION FOR OTHERS ON THE ROAD; DON'T TAKE ANYTHING PERSONALLY.