Most of us have routines that we repeat regularly; some consciously and some subconsciously. The problem is that some of these habits are not really good for us and breaking them can be a challenge.
Bad habits are usually those that jeopardize our good health, put our relationships at risk or hurt both at the same time. Some of the most common habits include smoking, drinking, over-eating and over-spending.
The Smoking Habit
If you tend to reach for a cigarette the moment you wake up each morning then you have a habit. It is no secret that smoking is a leading cause of death in the United States. Close to 50 million Americans smoke cigarettes and according to the Surgeon General’s office smoking is responsible for one in 5 deaths in the U.S. Smoking is what you would call an acquired behavior or habit and is also the most preventable cause of death.
Advertisement
Anti-smoking experts say in order to quit you have to plan. The first step would be to choose a time that is stress free. For example, don’t choose the holidays or a period of time when you know your work schedule is going to be overwhelming; otherwise you may be setting yourself up for failure. Prepare your family and friends by asking them for support. At the same time you should be doing research on anti –smoking support groups, hotlines, and other resources in your community that can assist you in your mission. Lastly, consider phasing out smoking rather than quitting. Phasing out could involve a nicotine patch or gum.
The Drinking Habit
Do you have a drinking habit? A drinking habit is best described as a regular habit; something that takes place at the same time or that takes place every day. An example of this would be an after work drink.
Drinking can put your good health at risk because it has a cumulative effect. Studies show that women who consume two or more drinks a day are at a higher risk of liver damage. Men who have 3 or more drinks face the same problem. High blood pressure, various cancers, and heart disease have also been linked to drinking alcohol habitually.
One way to cut back is to limit drinking to meals. Nutritional research shows that people tend to sip alcohol when they are eating and therefore the drink lasts longer. If you really can’t stop, talk to your doctor about support groups to help you kick the habit.
The Overspending Habit
Overspending is one of the primary reasons married couples fight. The partner who isn’t spending gets stressed and often turns to bad habits like smoking and drinking to try to cope. You could say it is a triple hit against good health.
RELATED READING: Obesity Tops Hunger as Biggest Health Problem
Getting yourself out of debt can be an uphill battle, yet once you set your mind to it, you’ll be able to lift the stress off your shoulders and then tackle those other bad habits that drag you down. Financial advisors suggest prioritizing by paying more on your highest interest credit card, stop shopping as a form of entertainment, creating a monthly budget and sticking to it, and freezing your credit cards.
Breaking the overspending habit, as well as other bad habits can bring you more happiness and joy, improve your relationships, and put you in a better position health-wise.
Related Reading: 10 Best tips to quit smoking
