It's normal for your brain to operate on autopilot from time to time. It would be difficult to get much done if you had to stop and think about each daily decision. That is one of the reasons habits are so important.
Habits are also automatic, and repetition strengthens them. As long as your habits contribute to your overall well-being, you're on the right track. However, if your habits conflict with your true interests, they can hold you back.
Changing a habit can be difficult, but practises such as meditation can help. Discover how to use meditation to form habits.
Building Self Awareness:
1. Scan your entire body. Your mental and spiritual well-being have a big influence on your physical health. Breathe deeply and inspect yourself from head to toe for any areas of tension or discomfort.
2. Clear your mind. Set aside your to-do list and day-to-day worries. Take note of what is going through your mind without passing judgement. Allow your thoughts to float across the sky like clouds.
3. Bring your gaze inwards. Turn your focus to your breath and your heart. Try to connect with yourself as a being separate from your fleeting thoughts. Take a look at yourself with curiosity and compassion.
4. Maintain a journal. Because you probably spend the majority of your time away from the cushion, keeping a journal may help you connect with yourself throughout the day. Take note of the habits you want to change and concentrate on more effective substitutes.
Increasing Motivation:
1. Think about the consequences. Tell the truth about how your habits affect your personal and professional life. This could include the reasons why you want to change as well as why you developed the habit in the first place. You most likely perceived some benefit at first.
2. Establish priorities. You'll most likely make more progress if you try to change one or two habits at a time. You could begin with the ones that have the greatest influence on your experiences. On the other hand, you could gain momentum by starting with something simple that will result in an easy victory.
3. Consider the long term. While you may be inspired right now, your enthusiasm may fade as you face challenges. Determine the reasons for change that are most important to you. That way, you'll be able to turn to them when you're feeling down.
4. Make use of affirmations. Ongoing reinforcement is also beneficial. Read inspirational texts for ideas, or create your own short statements to repeat to yourself. They can be about specific topics or anything else that energizes you.
5. Seek assistance. While you may think of meditation as a solitary practice, sitting with others can boost the effectiveness of your efforts. Request assistance from your life coach, spiritual community, family, and friends.
Taking Action:
1. Make resolutions. Finish your meditation session with a specific action plan. Make a specific commitment to replacing an old habit with more positive behaviour.
2. Be honest with yourself. Avoiding sugar for the rest of your life may be too much for you. Begin with resolutions you can keep, even if it means taking them one step at a time.
3. Investigate potential triggers. To keep your resolutions, you'll probably need to be familiar with the events that set your old habits in motion. For example, if you can catch yourself before you start nagging your children, you will be able to communicate more assertively and effectively.
4. Be ready for relapses. Habits do, in fact, change your brain over time. Congratulate yourself for recognizing when you backslide and continuing to move forward.
According to many experts, 45 percent or more of our daily behaviour is habitual. Meditation and other mindfulness practise can change your life and help you create a brighter future for yourself by transforming your habit energy.