Here’s a different approach to changing a bad habit: Look at what’s stopping you in the first place and change that!
For example, I often fall asleep watching TV on the couch. Even though I know I should just go to bed I delay the process by one episode of Chopped after another. The fact that it’s painful for me to wake up and make it down the stairs to get to bed once I’ve dozed off apparently doesn’t stop me. Neither does the fact that when this happens and I do make my way to bed, my sleep is disturbed and I have trouble going back to sleep.
Seriously?! There’s got to be a better way than giving into this temptation every night. Apparently, trying to “just going straight to bed” isn’t working and isn’t ever going to work. There’s a reason I’m not doing it, and if I focus on whatever is blocking me, I’ll be more likely to have some success.
I know what you’re guessing, and that’s not it. My love for TV is not what’s stopping me, because there’s a TV in my bedroom, that can’t be it. What’s stopping me is the laborious task of getting ready for bed. For me, this includes removing my contacts (which by this time are glued to my eye balls), removing my makeup (ugh waterproof mascara!), flossing, brushing, eye cream, moisturizer… all things which seem to take an eternity when all I’m trying to do is get into my bed!
I’ve found a new solution that does not include scorning myself for falling asleep on the couch or making empty promises to “try harder from now on”. My solution is but one simple behavior change: I complete all these nighttime hygiene tasks hours before bedtime. This way, I don’t have to dread the time spent at the sink and can just hop into bed (assuming I didn’t have a cookie after said routine)! Doing them when I have energy saves me from having to even think about them when I’m exhausted.
So, what’s a habit you’re trying to break? Chances are you haven’t been successful because you’ve been sticking with the same behavior and hoping for stronger willpower. Find a trick that will make the process easier. A good place to start is by looking at what stands in the way of you actually doing it!
For example, I often fall asleep watching TV on the couch. Even though I know I should just go to bed I delay the process by one episode of Chopped after another. The fact that it’s painful for me to wake up and make it down the stairs to get to bed once I’ve dozed off apparently doesn’t stop me. Neither does the fact that when this happens and I do make my way to bed, my sleep is disturbed and I have trouble going back to sleep.
Seriously?! There’s got to be a better way than giving into this temptation every night. Apparently, trying to “just going straight to bed” isn’t working and isn’t ever going to work. There’s a reason I’m not doing it, and if I focus on whatever is blocking me, I’ll be more likely to have some success.
I know what you’re guessing, and that’s not it. My love for TV is not what’s stopping me, because there’s a TV in my bedroom, that can’t be it. What’s stopping me is the laborious task of getting ready for bed. For me, this includes removing my contacts (which by this time are glued to my eye balls), removing my makeup (ugh waterproof mascara!), flossing, brushing, eye cream, moisturizer… all things which seem to take an eternity when all I’m trying to do is get into my bed!
I’ve found a new solution that does not include scorning myself for falling asleep on the couch or making empty promises to “try harder from now on”. My solution is but one simple behavior change: I complete all these nighttime hygiene tasks hours before bedtime. This way, I don’t have to dread the time spent at the sink and can just hop into bed (assuming I didn’t have a cookie after said routine)! Doing them when I have energy saves me from having to even think about them when I’m exhausted.
So, what’s a habit you’re trying to break? Chances are you haven’t been successful because you’ve been sticking with the same behavior and hoping for stronger willpower. Find a trick that will make the process easier. A good place to start is by looking at what stands in the way of you actually doing it!