We all struggle with bad habits — they seem to slowly creep into our lives and before you know it, we are feeling the yuckie, low energy which accompanies a bad habit. But changing the bad habit into a good one is possible. Most people find that the real struggle is learning how to get started with the new habit, sticking to it, staying motivated and dealing with the disruptions that can get in the way.
And yet, something as simple as changing a bad habit into a good one can truly change our lives. If we can’t learn how to make habit changes, we will not only be stuck in our current way of doing things, but it can impact our health and well being.
If you want to change your energy, you have to develop good habits.
Luckily, when you start becoming more mindful, bad habits tend to start naturally falling away from you. Some things however, take real commitment to make a change. And more often than not, when things get difficult, you will feel like quitting unless you are truly dedicated to making the change.
Here’s the most important thing to keep in mind when you are changing from a bad habit to a good one: just choose one habit for now. I know, I know! You have a whole list of things to change. But trust me, for now, pick one thing and let’s break it down. Later, you can work on more habits once you’ve got momentum going, but for now, focus on just one!
Here are the top energy healing tips for changing a bad habit into a good habit:
- Pick one thing that brings you joy- it’s so much easier to get into the good habit if it’s something you’ve been longing to learn or do. I wanted to learn belly dance for years. I used to watch belly dancers and think, “I love how they have such control over their bodies and can dance for long periods of time!” Look for something that would lift your spirits, make you smile or help your body feel good. This is a sign that it’s something that’s right for you!
- Start really small- this is probably the most important thing for changing a bad habit into a good one… Pick one thing and start small! How small? Realllly really small! If you are trying to meditate, do it for just 2 minutes. If you are going to start exercising, pick one move like push-ups and just do five. Wanting to try yoga? Why not just do 3 poses… Tired of eating junk food? Replace one candy bar with one vegetable each day. Starting small, helps you gain momentum and it removes your resistance. When I first started learning belly dance, I told myself I would do one class a week and my goal was to learn just one move really well. For running, I simply tell myself to get my running shoes on. For meditation, I tell myself to just go sit quietly for a few minutes. For art, just get out the canvas and pencil…
- Slow down and get into the details– Slowing down can help you get more focused on the task at hand. When you allow yourself to sink into the details, your critical mind falls away and you start to fall into the present moment. Mindfulness is all about being with just one thing and placing your entire focus upon that thing. This practice trains the brain to stick with the new habit, and with time, it will just become a part of you and your daily flow.
- Commit to trying it for a few months (it can take up to 60 days to change a bad habit)- the keyword here is COMMIT. Make a decision ahead of time that this is now going to be a part of your NEW LIFE! Put reminders in your phone or calendar. Place sticky notes around your house to remind yourself. Create a pattern with the new habit like making it something you do at the same time each day. Make it easy to do by picking a time of day when you need the joy from your habit, such as going for a brisk walk at lunchtime or going to a meditation or fitness class in the evening to help de-stress.
- Get a master teacher you connect with- not only will a teacher hold you accountable, but they will usually offer encouragement, long lasting advice, tricks and tips, and they will push you past your resistance point which will help you have even more success. I clearly remember being in belly dance class and thinking, “My body is doing things and moving in ways that feels so awkward and uncomfortable.” And nearly two seconds later, my teacher looked at me (she must have saw my face) and said, “Just keep doing it!” It took about 2 months to feel comfortable with the moves, and that’s exactly when she started adding layers in.
Changing your habits is doable. You can change old ways by becoming mindful of what your heart desires to learn and then take the steps to get started and just repeat until it’s a habit! Baby steps are key! You will find this to be true about anything in life really. It applies to going through big life changes as well. By just putting one foot in front of the other and being open and willing, you will be able to push past your resistance and find joy in your new habit and way of life.
Watch this video for more fun tips about how to change a bad habit into a good one.
