This article was co-authored by Annie Lin, MBA and by wikiHow staff writer, Aly Rusciano. Annie Lin is the founder of New York Life Coaching, a life and career coaching service based in Manhattan. Her holistic approach, combining elements from both Eastern and Western wisdom traditions, has made her a highly sought-after personal coach. Annie’s work has been featured in Elle Magazine, NBC News, New York Magazine, and BBC World News. She holds an MBA degree from Oxford Brookes University. Annie is also the founder of the New York Life Coaching Institute which offers a comprehensive life coach certification program.
There are 14 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.
This article has been fact-checked, ensuring the accuracy of any cited facts and confirming the authority of its sources.
This article has been viewed 1,053,162 times.
Breaking bad habits can be tough, but it's definitely possible. You're not alone, and we're here to help you kick your bad habits to the curb. We interviewed behavior experts and life coaches to bring you this guide on how to break a habit. Ready to change your life for the better? Let's get started.
Steps
Habit Breaking Journal Entry Template
Expert Q&A
-
QuestionWhy is it hard to break habits?Annie Lin, MBAAnnie Lin is the founder of New York Life Coaching, a life and career coaching service based in Manhattan. Her holistic approach, combining elements from both Eastern and Western wisdom traditions, has made her a highly sought-after personal coach. Annie’s work has been featured in Elle Magazine, NBC News, New York Magazine, and BBC World News. She holds an MBA degree from Oxford Brookes University. Annie is also the founder of the New York Life Coaching Institute which offers a comprehensive life coach certification program.
Life & Career CoachIt makes people uncomfortable when they make any type of change, so it's always a little difficult to break an old habit. -
QuestionHow can I train myself to break a bad habit?Annie Lin, MBAAnnie Lin is the founder of New York Life Coaching, a life and career coaching service based in Manhattan. Her holistic approach, combining elements from both Eastern and Western wisdom traditions, has made her a highly sought-after personal coach. Annie’s work has been featured in Elle Magazine, NBC News, New York Magazine, and BBC World News. She holds an MBA degree from Oxford Brookes University. Annie is also the founder of the New York Life Coaching Institute which offers a comprehensive life coach certification program.
Life & Career CoachStart with small steps working toward your goal. Even a tiny change is a start in the right direction.
Tips
-
Recent studies suggest that how long breaking a habit takes depends on the individual and the habit and can range from as few as 18 days to as many as 245.[20]Thanks
-
Mistakes happen, so don’t fret if you make one! Simply shake it off, go back to your plan, and try again.Thanks
Warnings
- Substance abuse, eating disorders, self-mutilation, and other self-destructive patterns could be signs of addictions or mental disorders. Seek professional help to combat them.Thanks
- Consult a mental health professional (psychologist, psychiatrist, or counselor) if you find that you can't control the habit, as they’ll be able to help.Thanks
Expert Interview
Thanks for reading our article! If you’d like to learn more about personal growth, check out our in-depth interview with Annie Lin, MBA.
References
- ↑ Lauren Urban, LCSW. Licensed Psychotherapist. Expert Interview. 3 September 2018.
- ↑ Guy Reichard. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 19 March 2020.
- ↑ http://www.npr.org/2012/03/05/147192599/habits-how-they-form-and-how-to-break-them
- ↑ Guy Reichard. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 19 March 2020.
- ↑ Annie Lin, MBA. Life & Career Coach. Expert Interview. 25 November 2019.
- ↑ Annie Lin, MBA. Life & Career Coach. Expert Interview. 25 November 2019.
- ↑ Tiffany Douglass, MA. Substance Abuse Treatment Specialist. Expert Interview. 10 March 2020.
- ↑ https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0022103105001356
- ↑ Lauren Urban, LCSW. Licensed Psychotherapist. Expert Interview. 3 September 2018.
- ↑ Annie Lin, MBA. Life & Career Coach. Expert Interview. 25 November 2019.
- ↑ http://www.helpguide.org/harvard/benefits-of-mindfulness.htm
- ↑ http://people.uncw.edu/hakanr/documents/mindfulandlettinggoofnegthought2007.pdf
- ↑ Annie Lin, MBA. Life & Career Coach. Expert Interview. 25 November 2019.
- ↑ http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/spring12/articles/spring12pg18-19.html
- ↑ http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/01/02/144431794/what-vietnam-taught-us-about-breaking-bad-habits
- ↑ http://www.npr.org/2012/03/05/147192599/habits-how-they-form-and-how-to-break-them
- ↑ http://health.usnews.com/health-news/blogs/eat-run/2013/09/30/breaking-bad-habits
- ↑ https://www.npr.org/2012/03/05/147192599/habits-how-they-form-and-how-to-break-them
- ↑ http://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/try_selfcompassion
- ↑ http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2009/oct/10/change-your-life-habit-28-day-rule
About This Article
To break a habit, start by making a clear plan for how you’re going to quit, which will increase your chances of being successful. As part of your plan, start small by creating easier steps to achieve the bigger goal, like committing to eating a healthy breakfast each day when you’re trying to stop eating junk food altogether. Finally, create obstacles to deter you from your habit, such as keeping cigarettes in another room or blocking time-wasting websites on your computer. For tips from our reviewer on how to set yourself up for success as you break a habit, read on!
Reader Success Stories
-
"It was reader-friendly. Simple ideas for a good start of recognizing and being conscious of a healthier lifestyle without dwelling on it too much. Nice, short article with sources for more information if desired."..." more