The Time Has Come To Quit

Unhealthy behaviors can often be disguised as our way of “unwinding.” A glass of wine or an unhealthy meal is fine in moderation, but what happens when they get to be a little too regular? We often think of unhealthy behaviors as more obvious things like smoking cigarettes, but they could be hiding in our more “passive” indulgences. What do you do when it’s time to cut back or quit?

Have a goal. If you feel you’ve been “unwinding” too much with a bottle of wine or unhealthy foods, have a specific goal. Maybe that goal is allowing yourself to indulge only on weekends, or maybe it is having a “dry month” to reset your habits. Whatever your goal is, make sure it is specific and lay out a plan.

Don’t overwhelm yourself. If you are a smoker who also copes with stressful situations by indulging in unhealthy eating habits, don’t quit both at the same time. Start with one behavior. Once you put the first goal behind you, it will be much easier to move on to the second one.

Hold yourself accountable. Let a friend or family member know what you are doing, and ask them to hold you accountable. Make sure they keep you focused on one goal at a time and encourage you when you need it. The support will help you to be strong when the process gets difficult. Hold yourself accountable as well!

Ask for help. If you don’t think you can do it on your own, ask for help. Reach out to a professional, call a hotline or consult your doctor. Having the guidance of a professional will help you avoid becoming overwhelmed.

Although it takes commitment, realizing you have to make healthier decisions is the first step in focusing on your wellness.

“It matters if you just don’t give up.”   Stephen Hawking