How You Can Get Rid of Unhealthy Habits

We all know how difficult changing unhealthy lifestyle habits can be. Whether it's smoking, biting your nails, or overeating, getting rid of harmful habits can seem like an uphill battle.

But it is possible to kick those common unhealthy habits for good! In today’s blog, we’ll explain how an unhealthy lifestyle can affect one’s goal setting and what you can do about it.

What are unhealthy habits?

Unhealthy habits are patterns of behavior that can negatively impact our physical and mental health over time. These habits can take many forms, from smoking and consuming too much alcohol to eating unhealthy foods and not getting enough physical activity. While some unhealthy habits may seem harmless in the short term, they can gradually build up and lead to chronic diseases such as obesity, heart disease, and cancer.

How can unhealthy habits impact your goal setting?

An unhealthy lifestyle can make it hard to set and achieve goals. They can affect your life in ways like:

1.    Lack of energy and focus

Unhealthy habits like poor diet, lack of exercise, or insufficient sleep can lead to low energy levels and difficulty concentrating. This can make it challenging to set goals effectively and stay focused on achieving them.

2.    Decreased motivation

Unhealthy habits can sap your motivation and enthusiasm, making it harder to set ambitious goals or stick to them when faced with obstacles. Without motivation, it's easy to lose sight of your objectives and give up prematurely.

3.   Impaired decision making

Unhealthy habits can impair cognitive function and decision-making abilities. This can lead to poor choices regarding goal setting, making it difficult to set realistic or meaningful goals.

4.   Negative self-talk

Unhealthy habits can contribute to negative self-talk and low self-esteem, which can undermine your confidence in setting and pursuing goals. Constantly berating yourself for your unhealthy behaviors can create a self-defeating cycle that hinders progress.

5.   Health complications

Chronic unhealthy habits can lead to serious health issues over time. These health complications may directly interfere with your ability to pursue and achieve your goals, as they can limit physical capabilities and increase the need for medical attention.

6.   Time drain

Unhealthy habits like excessive social media use or binge-watching TV can consume valuable time that could be allocated to working on goals. These habits often provide short-term gratification at the expense of long-term progress.

Let’s take a look at some of the unhealthy habits you need to cut out of your life.

What are some examples of unhealthy habits?

1.   Unhealthy habits for physical health

One common bad habit for our physical health is smoking. Smoking can lead to a number of health problems, from lung cancer to heart disease. In order to break this unhealthy lifestyle habit, it's important to set a clear goal and find support from friends and family. You may also want to try quitting "cold turkey" or using a Nicotine patch or even mindfulness techniques to help you deal with the cravings.

Another bad habit that many people have is biting their nails. This habit can not only be unsightly, but it can also lead to infection. After all, bacteria and germs tend to collect and breed under your nails, especially if they’re on the longer side. If you're looking to break the nail-biting habit, start by keeping your nails trimmed and clean. You may also want to try wearing gloves or applying bitter-tasting nail polish to help you resist the urge to bite.

Finally, overeating is another common unhealthy habit that many people struggle with. This often leads to weight gain and other health problems like diabetes or high blood pressure. In order to break this unhealthy pattern, try focusing on portion control and making healthy choices when it comes to your food. You might also want to enlist the help of a nutritionist or health coach to develop a plan that works for you.

2.   Unhealthy habits for mental health

Unhealthy habits can also affect us mentally. Doom Scrolling is another unhealthy lifestyle habit you need to kick! Doom Scrolling refers to scrolling or surfing the internet for hours on end with the intention of reading up on negative news. Put your phone down! While there's nothing wrong with staying updated on current affairs, continuing to read these types of articles even if you know it's causing you stress does no one good. Apart from making yourself anxious, you're also wasting time and energy over things you cannot change. Instead of mindlessly scrolling through social media, try meditating or spending time outdoors instead.

3.   Unhealthy habits for emotional health

Your emotional habits can also significantly impact your mental well-being. Some unhealthy emotional habits may include excessive rumination or dwelling on negative thoughts, avoiding confronting emotions or seeking support, engaging in self-isolation or withdrawing from social connections, relying on unhealthy coping mechanisms such as substance abuse or excessive screen time to numb emotions, and fostering perfectionism or unrealistic expectations leading to chronic stress and self-criticism. Additionally, engaging in toxic relationships or failing to set boundaries can perpetuate negative emotional patterns. These habits can contribute to anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, and overall diminished emotional resilience, making it challenging to navigate life's challenges and pursue personal growth.

How to change unhealthy habits?

Breaking bad habits can be difficult, but it's never too late to start cultivating healthier ones. Although it may take some time and effort, the rewards of making positive changes to your lifestyle can be truly rewarding. 

First, identify the habits you want to change and why. Then, make a plan and set achievable goals. It's important to be kind to yourself and celebrate even small victories along the way. Don't hesitate to seek support from friends, family, or professionals. Remember, changing unhealthy habits is a process, and it's okay to make mistakes. Treat yourself with compassion and keep moving forward. You can do it! 

How can I build good habits? 

Building good habits is just as important as breaking bad ones. When it comes to developing healthy habits, setting a clear goal is key. Once you know what you want to achieve, put together a plan of action and make sure to stick with it. For example, if you’re looking to set aside money so you can purchase health insurance in the Philippines, you could start by setting a budget for your daily expenses and then allocate a certain amount to save. It's also important to find support from friends and family or join a group with like-minded individuals. Finally, don't be afraid to ask for help from a professional if you need it.

No matter what bad habits you're looking to break or good habits you're trying to develop, remember that change is possible. On top of caring for your health, you’ll want to also invest in a health insurance plan so that you’re protected from any possible health emergencies. With a little effort and determination, you can achieve your goals and live a healthier, happier life.

As a leading life insurance company, InLife offers various health insurance options to fit your needs and budget. From basic plans that cover hospitalization expenses to comprehensive packages that also include preventive care, you can find the perfect plan to suit your lifestyle. Get in touch with us today!