Changing problematic behavior isnβt easy.
Even if you have the best of intentions, youβre dedicated, and initially motivated, itβs still difficult to stick with a positive change to see it through.
Why? The brain likes habits. It likes routine and familiarity. When youβve been acting a certain way and living out a routine and behaviors for so long, your brain doesnβt want to change.Β
On top of that, things like stress, tiredness, and even feeling burned out from work and life can cause you to quickly lose your motivation to change.
But, itβs not impossible to create change that can actually stick. You can take full control over your behaviors with a few helpful tips.
Listen to Your Mind and Body
One of the best ways to start focusing on behavioral changes is to be more mindful. Pause and consider how you feel when youβre engaging in problematic behavior. Whatβs going on in your mind and body?Β What do you feel and where do you feel it? What thoughts do you notice?
By being mindful during those behaviors, youβll get better insight into why theyβre so difficult to change, and why you do them. Awareness is crucial to change.
Practice Accepting Discomfort
You might not like some of your problematic behaviors.
You might wish you could do things differently, which is why you want to create change, in the first place.
But, no matter how against certain behaviors you are, they can often feel like security blankets. They provide a sense of comfort because youβre used to them.
Itβs hard to step out of your comfort zone, even when you know itβs the right thing to do. So, to change your behaviors, practice taking baby steps out of that zone. Accept discomfort, and recognize that itβs going to take some βgrowing painsβ for change to stick.
No one likes to be uncomfortable. But, itβs through that discomfort that you will truly grow. Accepting and sitting with uncomfortable feelings is essential to make changes.
Repeat Different Behaviors
Again, the brain likes repetition and habit. Some people say it takes ten days to form a habit, but you donβt need to put that kind of pressure on yourself. Habits form differently for everyone. The important thing is repeating a behavior for as long as it takes until it shifts into that habitual state.
Be patient with yourself. Be compassionate and kind to yourself. Change isnβt easy, and if it feels like something isnβt sticking, itβs important to understand that it will.
Donβt get caught in the trap of thinking your behavioral changes need to be βall or nothingβ. Set small, manageable goals for yourself. As you achieve them, it will give you a motivational boost to keep working toward the next one.
You didnβt lock yourself into a pattern of negative behaviors overnight, so itβs unfair to think that you can create change that will stick right away, either. When youβre willing to be patient and accept that lasting change takes lasting effort, youβll end up with a much better result.
Donβt Do It On Your Own
You may have gotten into some problematic habits on your own, but you donβt have to get out of them alone.
Itβs when you feel you donβt have the support that youβre more likely to give up. You might forget that failure and setbacks are part of the process. A strong support system is necessary to lift you back up so you can keep moving forward. That can be family members, friends, or mental health professionals.Β
If you want to truly make a change, feel free to contact us. Weβre here to support you and can offer more suggestions on how to make those new habits stick.Β
