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“You don’t break a bad habit; you replace it with a good one.” A habit can be defined as a routine of behavior that is repeated regularly and tends to occur subconsciously. According to the American Journal of Psychology, “habit, from the standpoint of psychology, is a more or less fixed way of thinking, willing, or feeling acquired through previous repetition of a mental experience.”

How to overcome a bad habit

The developed habits flow through effortlessly and automatically when new neural pathways are established in the brain. There are some of the elements involved in creating a pattern which includes

  • The Trigger: Any type of trigger factor, such as touch, generates and sends signals to the brain that it’s time to perform a habit
  • The Sequence: An habit work in a particular sequence that commences with a trigger that leads to responses and finally ends with a reward
  • Repetition: As we all know, ‘Practice makes a man perfect.’ So, this is the case while developing a habit. Any habit can become part of our nature with an initial physical and mental effort.
  • The Ease: Choose to create some easy habits. The easier the task is, the more you’ll perform it.
  • Patience: Habits take time to build and become a part of your nature. Patience is the ultimate key to forming habits.
  • The Identity: Our habits are more than our actions in routine life. They belong to our belief system, thoughts, and words. 

Healthy boundaries, when set habitually, lay the groundwork for all other habits. After you set up a motto in life to frame and build new habits, the repetition and connection with the feeling of excitement help build up your nature. Slowly and steadily, work on your habits to make them a part of your nature and build a successful life, and keep tracking all your progress repeatedly. Try to remain positive throughout the process of building your habit and surround yourself with like-minded positive, influential people who help you make the best of your decisions in life. Confidence is the key to becoming successful; therefore, don’t get bogged down by a few failures in life. Try to learn from your mistakes and failures and make success a part of your habit

Unusual habits that help you become a true badass

When entirely instilled in life, the habits become a part of your nature, and the badass habits help in personal and professional growth. Some habits should be built and function in your daily routine to support your overall development. Some of them are described as

Meditation

Many people with successful careers have claimed, “If you don’t have 10 minutes to yourself, you don’t have a life”. Meditation is an age-old practice that helps your becoming mindful and enhances your focus and attention. With meditation, you can develop your inner peace while evading stress away. Regular meditation removes signs of anxiousness, tension, and worries.

Meditation

Try reading books or listening to podcasts.

Books are our friends for life. They can provide immense knowledge and teach us about the good and bad things in life. Podcasts or listening to audible books build up emotional intelligence in people. Books open a new world of imagination and reality and help improve your reading, writing, and speaking skills while enhancing your memory and intelligence.

Try sticking to your decisions.

A study published in 2016 in a journal named Frontiers in Human Neuroscience claims that to showcase yourself as a good person, you overextend yourself to conclusions that are against your self-will, and results in “poor decision-making, anxiety, or difficulties in interpersonal relationships.” To avoid bad decisions and lead a peaceful, happy, and content life, start saying ‘NO’ to people whenever you feel things are going against your will. While saying ‘NO’ to someone, you are saying ‘YES’ to yourself, which is most important.  

Learn taming your amygdala

Amygdala is an almond-shaped piece in the middle of your brain that deals with experiencing emotions. Physical survival was its only purpose during primitive times. In modern times, the predators of the past have now been replaced by the people surrounding you, and the physical survival by psychological and social survival. 

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The impulsive commands from the brain are generated through the amygdala. Therefore, try to have control of it and start practicing meditation and mindfulness. Balance your focus, thoughts, and emotions on positive things and wean down all the negativity from your life. 

Start claiming full responsibility.

Instead of blaming others for every aspect or circumstance, take responsibility for your situation yourself. Blaming others will only hamper and miss an opportunity for your growth and learning. Hence, try to be stronger, more focused, and learn from your mistakes.