You might have heard about how many different things, even something like a full moon, can affect a person's behavior. This is something that may or may not be true when it comes to your life. At the same time, there are things you can do if you want to change your behavior, or a specific behavior in your life. Here's a look at how to do so.

Changing Your Behavior

The first step to changing your behavior is being aware that there is a behavior that you should change. For instance, if there is something you do that you really don't want to do anymore, it may be time to make some changes. There are a few ways to approach this. One way is to try to do something else. Perhaps you are spending too much money on coffee in the mornings, and you need to stop. You may want to start making it at home before you leave for work.

In other instances, it might be harder to change your behavior, and you possibly need to seek out the help of a professional. If you feel like you may be able to benefit by seeing a therapist, you should think about talking to one about behavior modification therapy. This type of therapy is designed to be able to help you change behaviors that are problematic, where you would like to stop doing them. There are different ways in which a psychiatrist can work with you when it comes to behavior modification, but essentially, the idea is for you to learn consequences of unwanted behaviors, in an attempt to stop them from occurring. If you already have a therapist, you should speak to them about this type of therapy.

Hold Yourself Accountable

You are able to hold yourself accountable when it comes to changing your behavior as well. One way to do this is to be aware of what is going on and how you want to change it. One example is if you find that you are eating too many sweets, then you must take certain steps to stay away from them. You can refrain from ordering desserts when you go out to restaurants, or limit how many sweets you purchase when you are grocery shopping.

The other part of it, as Harvard Health explains, is that you should have a plan, to help with the follow through. When you want to stop eating sweets, decide what you can do to change this. At the same time, it is okay to reward yourself with a sweet treat every now and then.

If you find that you have a hard time holding yourself accountable, you can tell a trusted friend or family member about what you are trying to do. They may be able to help.

Learning More

Something else you can do when it comes to changing behavior is to do your research. You can read articles and books about how behavior works, and if there are particular habits you want to break, you may be able to get some advice on how to change it up a bit.

Write Things Down

It may also help to write things down when you are trying to rid yourself of a certain behavior. This can not only assist you in keeping track of how you are doing, but you can also use your notes like a journal, so you can record how you are feeling on certain days as well. This could be something you are able to share with your therapist if you opt to seek help, or it may give you insight on what is happening on the days when you feel like you aren't making progress.

Overview

When you are trying to break a habit, keep in mind that it is possible to do so. The main ideas to remember when trying are that there is help out there for you, whether it is in the form of a friend, family member, or therapist, you need to reward yourself, and you should make sure you know what your goal is, so you'll be aware of when you have met it. It can take a while to rid yourself of a habit, so try your best and keep at it. 

Marie Miguel Biography

Marie Miguel has been a writing and research expert for nearly a decade, covering a variety of health- related topics. Currently, she is contributing to the expansion and growth of a free online mental health resource with BetterHelp.com. With an interest and dedication to addressing stigmas associated with mental health, she continues to specifically target subjects related to anxiety and depression.