Overcoming Bad Habits

Habits are all around us, some nice, some bad. But did you ever make an effort to break a negative habit? Isn't that difficult? As it happens, breaking an old habit is frequently easier said than done than forming a new one. For what reason is that the case? Well, our brains are hardwired with habits. These are instinctive reactions that humans have acquired through time. We are up against these strong neurological circuits when we attempt to just break a habit. It resembles attempting to halt a train on its tracks. However, what if I told you there was an alternative? What if we could reroute the train instead of attempting to stop it? What if we could adopt new, better habits to replace our unhealthy ones? The regular practice of meditation can help with this. One effective technique for raising awareness of our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors is meditation. The most significant benefit of meditation is that it enables us to shift the source of the motivation that gives rise to the habit. You begin to be propelled by a more profound consciousness rather than the mental layer where the paths are found. We must realize that a loop consisting of a cue, a routine, and a reward forms and reinforces habits. The habit is reinforced by the reward, which is triggered by the cue. The practice of smoking may be triggered by stress, and the relief that follows could serve as a reward. Meditating aids in breaking this pattern. We become more conscious of our cues and habits when we meditate. We begin to recognize the signs of stress and when we are reaching for a smoke. The pattern becomes apparent. Being conscious, though, is just the first step. Substituting the routine with a healthier one is the next step. This is when regular meditation practice becomes really beneficial. When under stress, we have the option to meditate rather than light up a cigarette. In this way, the practice of meditation takes up time and develops a new habit, leaving no time for the previous habit. It's about selecting an alternative stress-reduction strategy rather than stifling the want to smoke.