5 Days To Go Before #KickYourHabit - How To Prepare

#KYHDay5: Turning Point

Is this what YOU want? Do YOU want to go through this entire week without the one thing that makes your life a bit better and bearable? The third day is always the most difficult as this is when the headaches, aches and pains get to be at their peak. This is due to withdrawals that you might experience by giving up coffee, tea, fizzy drinks, sugar, etc. This is normal that you want to drop out of the KYH campaign but hang in there. This will pass and on the fourth day, you will start feeling good.

One might know the risks associated with certain addictions and behaviours but knowing facts such as smoking causes harm to the body, many people still continue to smoke nonetheless.

Change is the desire for the better, so one must have the WANT, the DESIRE and the WILL to change and give up the one thing they love and can't live without. Stay motivated by following the wisdom of the KYH ABC:

J= Journaling will help you keep a record of your progress and connect you to your inner world.

K= Knowledge about your habit will create a better understanding of it. Read up on it.

L= List 5 things that you are grateful for every day before starting your day.

M= Motivational statements and mottos must be written down and pasted all over your house, on the fridge and set as a reminder on your phone.

#KYHDay4: Change & Replace

Now it's time to put mind into matter, today is the day for change.

TIPS: DO activities that you enjoy. DO what won't be a task, but what will and is a passion for you. DO activities that will keep your mind off your habit, addiction, cravings or withdrawals during this week. DO physical and more importantly do mentally stimulating activities. Find a new hobby, and find your passion and purpose to help keep you away from your addictions and behaviours. Exercise, and spend time with close people. Doing something else will keep your mind off your addictions and habits. Over-thinking and over-planning will not make you #KickYourHabit and addictions.

Remember, consistency is the key when changing and adopting new and healthy habits.

A famous quote from Newton said, "Every action has an equal and opposite reaction." This is what we will do: replace our addictions and habits with something good, better and healthier, just the complete opposite of what we are accustomed to and addicted to. Replace your television series with a walk, replace drinking coffee with drinking water and some real fruit juice. Replace one (bad) habit of addiction with a GOOD and HEALTHY habit. Replace the habit or addiction with something that will keep you occupied and far away from your previous habits and addictions.

The KYH ABC for today:

N= Negotiate new and healthier rewards for yourself.

O= Openness and honesty are needed with yourself and others to overcome this habit.

P= Professional help is needed with some of the habits that are more severe such as substance use.

Q= Quit bad habits by replacing them with healthier and new routines.

R= Recreational and fun activities are needed to take your mind off the cravings and thoughts.

#KYHDay3: Share

As it is well known and said that no man is an island; we are social beings. Get your friends, family members and co-workers to give up one habit for a week and do activities together. Choose and associate with people or groups that have the same goals as you so that you may motivate and empower each other, share your challenges and victories and even make new friends.

Communication is important to and with those that are with and supporting you through this journey to give up your addictions and change your habits.

The KYH ABC guide:

S= Support systems are the key to helping you change. Identify a partner to whom you are accountable.

T= Tell your friends and family about this and get excited and energised about your decision to change.

U= Ubuntu-do something good for someone else without expecting something back in return.

#KYHDay2: Reward

Celebrate every success, every day, week and month that you stay clean from your addiction and habits. Praise yourself; this boosts your confidence and keeps you motivated to do and be better. Material rewards are not entirely important and should be the only thing you reward yourself with but you can reward yourself for example reward yourself with a night out, go watch a movie, save the money that you would have used towards your addictions or habits towards your dream vacation, spend some real quality time with people that are close to you.

The KYH ABC:

V= Value what is really important for you and appreciate every moment.

W= Write down your plan to quit and keep up with your journal every day.

X= X-ray yourself by analysing your thoughts and feelings and how it is linked to your behaviours. Change what you think and the rest will follow!

#KYHDay1: Believe

Relapsing is bound to happen for some or even at times for most individuals. Temptations are bound to come and one might stumble and seek comfort in habits and addictions. The most important thing after relapsing is to pick up our socks, keep our heads held high and keep going! Don't feel extremely bad and guilty when you have turned back to the comfort of your addictions and habits but REMEMBER that tomorrow is a new day filled with many possibilities and opportunities to change your life if you to change and become better. So start afresh and continue with your journey. Learn from your mistakes and habits. Learning and unlearning are important; learn from your mistakes in order to unlearn your habits and addictions.

The KYH ABC guide:

Y= You are worth it and You can do this! Just believe in yourself!

Z= Zero tolerance for negative people, places and things that bring you down. Avoid these high-risk situations at all costs.