Everyone knows the situation. At the beginning of each year, we make resolutions that may rapidly become obsolete or slowly wane as days and months pass. Perhaps the reason for so many resolutions falling by the wayside, is that when we resolve to refrain from a bad habit, we fail to find a more positive alternative behavior.
This year, instead of making resolutions, try making alternative adjustments. Listed below are a few suggestions for how to apply this idea to various situations.
If you want to quit smoking in 2012, rather than abstractly resolving to stop, designate a specific activity to engage in to replace reaching for a cigarette. Most smokers reach for a cigarette immediately after a meal. As an alternative adjustment, push away from the table as soon as you are finished eating and go for a short walk.
Losing weight is a resolution many people make only to find themselves falling into their same eating patterns shortly after the new year begins. As an alternate adjustment to reducing calories, rather than abruptly refrain from dessert or snacks, make an alternative adjustment and replace desserts and sweet treats with fruits or vegetable snacks.
If munching in front of the television is a habit you want to break, find an alternative activity such as gardening, walking, reading, or pursuing a new hobby that will give you a replacement activity.
Some people resolve to alter behaviors such as procrastination. An alternative adjustment for this situation might be to establish a reward system for yourself for activities completed on time.
This is just the beginning of ideas that might possibly help you be more successful in breaking bad habits or changing unhealthy habits. The premise is simple. Finding something to fill the void left when you refrain from engaging in a specific activity will help you be more successful in adapting to the change.
By VeronicaHB from Asheboro, NC
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