If you're looking for a new year's resolution — or just a challenge to make your own life that little bit better — this article is here to give you a few ideas of bad habits that can be broken, from environmental concerns such as using plastic bags instead of green bags; to physical concerns such as smoking; to mental concerns such as sweating the small stuff and comparing yourself to others. Read on and break the habit!
Smoking
Come on, do we really need to explain this one? Well, okay, if we must. Cigarettes contain poisonous chemicals which mess with your circulation, blood pressure, senses of taste and smell, stamina, teeth, you name it — the list goes on. And not only are you harming yourself, you're also harming the people around you through second-hand smoke. Yes, nicotine is addictive and yes, it's often hard to quit. You've heard all this before, no doubt. But when it comes to habits that should be broken, smoking is just about top of the list.
Money-wasting
The list of costs in any person's life is a long one. Mortgage payments and rent; petrol and registration for a car; electricity, water and gas bills; internet, cable television and mobile phone connections; food; again, the list goes on. Money for recreation is important too — after all, we all need to let loose once in a while. However, recreation is also one of the areas where we can save money and make the rest of our lives that little bit easier. Drinks at pubs and clubs are getting ridiculously expensive these days; limit yourself to a few! The health benefits of doing so are important, anyway. Try not to eat out so much, too; take 10 minutes at home to prepare your meals for the week.
Environmental apathy
The dangers of climate change are very real. You've heard it again and again, but this Earth is the only one we have and we need to take care of it. If you don't recycle, then now's the time to start — it's not hard to separate your plastics, paper, bottles and cans. Consider taking things even further and recycle your electronic waste by taking it to Council E-waste drop-off points. Instead of using plastic bags, which are not biodegradable, starting using some of the reusable promotional bags you've no doubt picked up over the years. Reusable green bags are both biodegradable and compostable and are much better for the environment. It goes beyond recycling, too — switch that extra light off, turn off that extra power point and save yourself some money on energy. Mother Nature will thank you.
Sweating the small stuff
This one may sound a little broad and cliched, but it's important when it comes to leading a stress-free, healthy existence. Throughout your life, tragedy and loss are going to occur; these things are inevitable. And in these moments, everything is put into perspective. Fortunately, you don't need to wait for one of these moments to occur to gain a little perspective, as the news portrays this tragedy and loss on a daily basis. Think about this and, as a result, you'll stop creating mountains out of molehills (sorry, another cliche, we know!). From events not panning out the way you'd hoped to road rage, work stresses and dealing with rude people, try to learn to take it all in your stride.
Comparing yourself to others
Here's another one that relates to leading a stress-free and healthy lifestyle. Stop comparing yourself to others! This is counter-productive, as your own personal circumstances are unique to everyone else's. Additionally, the front that you see on many people often hides the uncertainty they're facing themselves; you may not realise this, but the confident, strong person you're comparing yourself to is probably doing the same to you!
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This article is published as: 5 Habits Everyone Should Break
It is a good thing I haven't tried smoking and turn it to a habit. I remember that a politician advised the students not to start smoking since he knew that it is hard habit to break. I am not also prone to waste money. After reading this post, I realized that maybe I should learn to be environmental conscious too.
Lola T. recently posted..Leche de alpiste para adelgazar.
I love this article. I'll base my new years resolution off of it. Thanks so much!
Giving up smoking's easy, I've done it hundreds of times.
Tim recently posted..Plastic Surgery Prices
SAving money is easy once you have to evaluate your expenses according to how necessary they are. Cable TV is an incredible waste of money. It's an easy way to save $60.00 a month and you don't lose anything of value. Most of what you watch can be seen online or rented
Dumpster rental in Atlanta recently posted..Dumpster Rentals for Birmingham and Tuscaloosa
It's hard to break things especially if you are used of doing it however, comparing yourself with others might give you the courage and enthusiasm of breaking it!
Amy @Palm Valley Ranch recently posted..Companies Specalizing In Organic Foods
Great tips, thanks. Some are more difficult to achieve than others! I think that recycling plastic and cardboard is very achievable, but will have to work on achieving a stress-free, healthy life!
It's hard to break a long-ingrained habit like smoking, but it can be done. Self-will and determination can be more powerful than the addiction.
Great list!
But while I agree that it's important to recycle what we dispose of, it's equally important to buy things that come from sustainable sources. This can apply to everything from packets of food to building materials. For example, Eurocell building plastics are largely manufactured from recycled PVC-U.
George