#2013alive: Out With the Bad, In With the Good!

It’s week 2 for November’s 12 Months of Wellness challenge. If you’re just tuning in, this month’s theme is all about breaking our bad habits. Last week, we identified and committed to making the change. This week, we’re diving right in: by replacing a bad habit with a good one.

Last week, I shared my story of biting my nails when I was little. Granted, it doesn’t seem that dire of a habit compared to something like smoking or gambling, but as an eight-year-old girl, it was extremely stressful for me! My mom tried in vain to tell me to stop every time she saw me do it, I was told repeatedly about the gross germs I could be ingesting, and I even tried that bitter-tasting solution to put on my nails. All of these tactics just stressed me out more.

It wasn’t until I was in early high school when I discovered something that fixed it for good: manicures. No, not fancy salon manicures—just basic, DIY natural manicures. Simply taking the time to care for my poor nails and cuticles made me want to keep them looking their best. I didn’t want to ruin all my hard work by biting them.

In effect, I replaced a bad habit with a good habit—a strategy that can be adapted to fit many different situations.

• If your bad habit is hitting the morning drive-thru: Plan your healthy, homemade breakfast the night before—and make sure it’s something you love, so you won’t be tempted to skip it.
• If your bad habit is being a couch potato: Make a gym date with a friend ahead of time, or sign up for a workout class. If you’ve put money down or promised someone something, you’ll be less likely to cancel at the last minute.
• If your bad habit is retail therapy: Similarly to above, plan your days ahead of time, so there isn’t room in your schedule to hit the mall. Make arrangements with friends and family that don’t involve shopping, or use the time to develop a hobby that you’ve always been interested in.

Join us!

How are you breaking your bad habits(s)?  Let us know on Facebook or Twitter, using the hashtag #2013alive. And don’t forget to download our November goal sheet.