Everyone has bad habits they need to get rid of. Whether it’s getting too little sleep or eating the wrong foods. There are usually bad habits you need to quit to start feeling better and living your best life. By getting rid of habits that do you no good you will start to feel better and start living life the way you want.
The reason that I decided to write this is that I noticed that some bad habits were making me feel horrible all the time. And that made it hard to function some days.
By going through each habit and seeing if it was helping or hurting. I was able to pinpoint the habits that were bad and not doing anything to help me in the long run.
By deciding to quit some of my bad habits I started to notice more of what was making me feel bad. And what was making me happier when I did it.
What are Bad Habits You Need To Quit?
Bad habits you need to quit are ones that either make you feel worse or that impact your ability to function each day.
It could be eating foods that aren’t good for you, not getting enough sleep. Or just about anything that doesn’t make you feel good afterward.
I noticed that once I cut out certain foods, I started to physically feel better. I also noticed that my thoughts were clearer and I was able to do more each day.
That of course is just an example of one bad habit you need to quit. And of course, others can have an impact on how you feel and your ability to get things done.
Reasons You Need to Get Rid of Bad Habits
The obvious reason you need to get rid of bad habits is, so you feel better. But there are some other reasons too.
- Increased motivation to get more done.
- More time to do things you enjoy.
- Increased energy throughout the day
- A feeling of accomplishment
These are just a few benefits of getting rid of bad habits. There are tons more, but those vary from person to person.
The best way to figure out how you can benefit from quitting some bad habits is to make a list of them.
Then find what benefit you will get from quitting or getting rid of that particular habit.
One of the easiest ways to do this is by using a habit tracker. You can list out each habit you want to stop and keep track of your progress each day. When you complete a certain number of days, make sure to reward yourself. That way you can keep the momentum going and not get discouraged.
Related Reading: What is Self-Care and Daily Habits for Self-Improvement
19 Bad Habits You Need to Quit
These are just some of the habits you may want to think about quitting. Again, the best way to figure out what needs to go is to use a habit tracker.
- Eating too much junk food
Eating fast food all the time is just not good for you. I know it’s cheap and easy. But eating a lot of junky food can cause weight gain and make you feel terrible.
2. Not getting enough sleep
Most of us are guilty of this. Me included. But when you don’t give your body the chance to rest at night. You are less motivated the next day. Studies show that most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night to stay healthy and active. (look up)
3. Excessive alcohol use
A drink here and there won’t do too much harm. But those of us that have several drinks a night to unwind should stop. It affects your ability to make good decisions and impacts the quality of sleep you get at night.
4. Too much caffeine
I love me some coffee. There are some days that I wouldn’t be able to function without it. But too much caffeine throughout the day can have several negative effects on your body. (look up)
5. Not enough exercise each day
Not getting enough exercise every day is definitely a bad habit you need to quit. By not getting up and at least going for a walk each day you’re not letting your body move and use up excess energy throughout the day. Which can make sleeping at night extremely hard.
6. Smoking
Smoking is just a bad habit. Believe me, I know. I’ve been trying to quit for years. There are many health issues that smokers have, and it just smells bad to other people.
7. Eating too much red meat
I love a good burger. But eating red meat often is bad for your body. It’s higher in saturated fat than other lean meats which can cause a variety of health issues.
8. Binge-watching TV.
A show or two or movie isn’t going to kill you. But sitting all day watching TV means you’re not getting up and moving around.
9. Too much social media
The world is on social media. Chances are you came across this from some site. But we often spend too much time scrolling our feeds, watching videos, etc. Not only is the blue light bad for your eyes. The constant comparing yourselves to others is not good either.
10. Using electronics right before bed
Your phone and tablet both emit blue light. Which can interfere with your sleep cycle. By not using any electronics right before bed can make it hard to get to sleep.
11. Being a couch potato
Sitting on the couch all day or night is just not good for you. When you sit down all day you’re not getting any exercise. Which can lead to weight gain and health issues.
12. Skipping Breakfast
There is a reason they say it’s the most important meal of the day. When you skip breakfast, you are messing with your body’s normal routines. Which can impact your metabolism and your overall health
13. Going to bed late
If you go to bed late, you’re not giving yourself enough time each night to sleep. It can leave you feeling tired and groggy the next day. Which can impact your work and relationships.
14. Being a “yes” person
Always being the “yes” person can lead others to take advantage of you. But by putting boundaries in place. You gain more control over your life and what you are willing to do.
15. Bad relationships
Staying in bad or toxic relationships can have a big impact on your feelings of self-worth. And your overall opinion of yourself. It can be hard to get away from them. But you will be better off without them. (This includes toxic or bad work environments too)
16. Ignoring stress
When you ignore the things that stress you out. You don’t ever really relax. It stays in the back of your mind and continues to bother you even if you don’t realize it. By acknowledging the stress in your life, you are better able to start to deal with the things that are causing it.
17. Overspending money
Most people spend more money than they should on things they don’t really need. I’m guilty of this from time to time too. But it can lead to financial trouble down the line and makes it hard to save for the things you really want.
18. Not spending time outside
Being in the house all the time is just not good for you. It’s really important for your health to spend time outside each day. Even if you just sit on the porch or in the sun for a half-hour a day you will start to see a big difference in how you feel every day.
19. Not relaxing each day
Being on the go, or stressed all day is not good for you. You need to take time to relax each day and even do some self-care. This can help you unwind after a busy or stressful day. And can help you get your mind ready for your night routine.
Now, this is not a full list of every bad habit that is out there. I’m sure there are some you can add to the list that are particular to you. But these are just some of the more common bad habits that many people have.
Final Thoughts on Bad Habits
Not all habits are bad and need to be stopped completely. Just cutting back on some of them can do wonders for you.
The most important thing is to identify what bad habits you need to quit, and what ones you can just cut back on.
I hope you found this helpful!
Don’t forget to grab your Free Habit Tracker!