Breaking Bad Habits for Better Living

Bad habits are hard to break, but you can always make positive improvements with some planning and support. Most people are aware of the bad habits they would like to break, and many have probably tried and failed in the past. If you’re planning to break a bad habit, keep reading for some tips and tricks that might help:

Focus on one habit at a time.

It’s hard enough to try and change one thing at a time — why make it harder by trying to do multiple things at once? Instead, focus on one bad habit and commit to changing that first before moving on to another area of your life that needs improvement.

Make a plan

Don’t get too caught up in it being perfect or having every detail figured out before starting the change process. A good plan will be realistic, have measurable goals and include an action plan for how those goals will be achieved so you know what needs to be done next when obstacles arise. Having structure and support can make a big difference, which is why many people exploring community living retirement find comfort in environments that encourage routine and positive habits. You can learn more about this supportive environment through our retirement village living approach.

Remove temptation

Identify triggers for your habit and avoid them as much as possible. Triggers can range from environmental cues (like seeing an empty wine glass) to emotional triggers (like feeling lonely). Once you know what situations lead to indulging in your bad habit, try doing something else — like going outside for a walk.

Understand that setbacks happen

Don’t expect perfection right away. A significant mistake people make when trying to change their behaviour is they expect themselves to be perfect from day one — which leads to frustration when they don’t achieve this goal right away (which rarely happens). Instead, give yourself time to adjust so that change can occur naturally over time instead of trying too hard too quickly and giving up because things didn’t go as planned right away (which also rarely happens).

Rewards your success

Pick a reward that works for you. It’s important that what you choose brings you joy and encourages you to continue making better choices. It could be anything from a piece of chocolate to a coffee date with a friend or a relaxing massage. Many people find that staying engaged with activities and events helps reinforce positive habits. You can discover opportunities to stay active and connected through our community events and activities.

Enlist the help of a friend

Someone who also has a similar habit to break can be a great support person. You can help each other through the process and stay accountable for your progress. Building strong relationships plays a big role in social connection in retirement, and being part of a welcoming environment can make this easier. Our retirement community social life is designed to help residents stay connected and supported.

Remember to be patient with yourself. Take small steps towards breaking your negative habits until they become second nature for you to do daily.