Power of Habit

Habits play an important role in everyone’s life. At times, they become so significant that they tend to control our lifestyle and determine our character. So, what is Habit?

An activity or practice that is done frequently, on a regular basis is called habit. It develops over time. It could be a human behavior, a physical activity or a thought process in mind. It becomes so crucial for a person subconsciously that it is hard to give up. It does not need any effort to occur, it just happens.

Some people bite their nails. When there is a pen in hand, people start scribbling on woods, chairs, anywhere. Smoking. Shaking the legs while seated. Chewing tobacco. Even people have such habit, that they need to drink tea or coffee or they need a smoke before going to toilet. Otherwise it does not come out.

Depending upon nature of habit it is called either a good habit or a bad habit, at times just habit.  Good habits tend to yield fruitful results where as bad habits could impact your life negatively.

Some good habits like reading books or newspaper can keep you updated, increasing your knowledge. By taking regular notes, you seldom forget things to be done. Keeps objects in places mean you don’t need to spend time searching for them. Practicing yoga or exercise regularly keeps you healthy. Saving money without spending on unnecessary things can help you in future.

Chewing tobacco can ruin your teeth and gums, moreover t causes cancer. Drinking too much tea or coffee makes you a caffeine addict. Consuming alcohol, a very common and growing habit among the youth can harm the ability to think properly on the long run and various health hazards. Interrupting people in the middle can make you very unpopular among friends. Gambling habit can make you lose money.

I have a friend who needs a smoke break every hour. It affects his performance at work, because it takes fifteen minutes in total to come down by lift, smoke and to go back to his desk. In a working day, he spends 2 hours for smoking, out of rest six hours he must work along with other needs. Consuming 8 to 10 cigarettes a day, does not do any good to his health.

Can a habit be changed? Because habits are so powerful, the become an integral part of our life, thus becoming hard to give up. You must remember you did not develop the habit overnight. It happened over time. Scientists have found out it takes at least 21 days of regular practice for something to become a habit.

That does not mean habits cannot be changed. It is possible. It takes a bit of conscious effort and awareness. It cannot be done immediately but if you give yourself time and with determination you can do it.

You can cut down from 12 cigarettes to 11 for few days and then to 10. And it can be reduced to a very minimum. Instead of chewing tobacco before toilet try drinking a glass of water. Habits can be changed and replaced with another one as well.

A practice or activity, before it becomes a habit may seem trivial initially. But when it turns into a habit, unless it is a good one, takes time to be replaced.  When you do something, observe yourself are you falling into a pattern doing it repeatedly. Good habits can make your life better and a bad one can ruin it. That is the power of habit. Life can change drastically because of them.

Choose your action consciously.