Today, almost everyone has bad habits, so their presence is no longer surprising. However, if some of them are completely harmless and are unlikely to ruin life, others become extremely destructive. The latter are called dependency, since these two concepts are very closely intertwined.
Fortunately, experts have long found reliable ways to overcome any bad habits. But it is important to note that without a personal desire to overcome them, you can not count on any effect. Any methods of coding, hypnosis, or other effects on the psyche and consciousness most often guarantee only a temporary effect, and even then not in all cases. Because the first thing that a person must do is to realize his problem. Practical psychology does not know other ways how to get rid of bad habits once and for all.
Consider the most basic and effective ways that are time-tested and help to achieve results in most cases, regardless of what is a bad habit.
No. 1 - Substitution
This is probably the most reliable and easiest way to get rid of the most common bad habits, such as smoking. It has long been proven that in the first six months or a year, people who smoke do not become dependent on nicotine. The main reason is the development of the smoking habit, which later develops into a natural dependence. The best way to get rid of it is to replace something more innocuous. That is why the Kursk is most often recommended to eat sunflower seeds or candies for the first few months every time there is an overwhelming desire to smoke.
Despite the huge number of different nicotine patches, electronic cigarettes and other similar devices, the banal replacement of one habit to another still provides the best result. Of course, in some cases it is very difficult to replace a bad habit, for example, when it comes to alcoholism, but even in such cases, this method will be of considerable benefit.
# 2 - Desire and Motivation
Is it possible to force someone to get rid of the habit without the desire or motivation? Of course, the answer will be obvious - no, impossible. This suggests that without your own will, any attempts will fail. This is especially true for severe forms of addiction, such as alcoholism and even drug addiction.
The first thing to start with is the search for motivation and the reason why you want to get rid of bad habits. Any goal can be to impress a loved one, improve one’s health, avoid problems at home or at work, and so on. The main reason is always individual, therefore it is impossible to find something generalized for all. However, the very existence of the goal, understanding and motivation, is already able to save you from a lot of bad habits.
№3 - Dispute or bet
When the experts were lining up the statistics of all the people who were able to get rid of dependence, among the main reasons was not a strong will or desire, but the most banal dispute. It was precisely the reluctance to lose the argument or prove one’s case was such a powerful motivation that people were able to avoid even serious forms of addiction, such as smoking and alcoholism.
Of course, a dispute is unlikely to work if you consciously want to argue with someone to get rid of addiction or habit, but in this way you can easily help others. Although, you can always argue with someone consciously, putting something important on it, for example, a certain amount of money or something valuable. In this case, getting rid of the habit will be the most profitable solution, which can also be used to achieve the goal.
No. 4 - Gradual Disposal
No wonder many doctors and psychologists do not recommend a sharp deliverance from bad habits. Moreover, this applies to both forms of dependence, and any other types, for example, obsessive movements with the hands, etc. The essence is always the same - to gradually reduce the harmful effects, in whatever way it manifests, since abrupt cancellation is usually quite a strong burden on the psyche, and sometimes the entire body.
If you smoke, then gradually begin to reduce the number of cigarettes smoked per day until your will power allows you to completely get rid of the habit. The same goes for alcohol, food, physical movements, or even words. Therefore, if you cannot just get rid of dependence or habit with one effort of will, then it is better to do it gradually. Chances of success will be much higher.
No. 5 - Find an Alternative
Very often bad habits appear in those people who do not follow them and allow them to develop, and also have enough free time. Such cases are called "nothing to do", however, over time, even harmless occupation, allowing you to pass the time and take something in, can turn into a serious relationship. In such cases, it is best to find something that will distract and not allow habits to get worse. Unlike the replacement method, when the dependency has already been developed and it is necessary to find something that will allow it to be blocked, this method is slightly different.
For example, find your hobby, which will occupy you in your free time, or start to play sports, jogging, any active rest. The alternative should not be like your habit, rather the opposite - it should be completely different from it. Only in this way will it be possible to automatically get rid of bad habits, delusions or even real dependence.
