Break These 3 Bad Habits and Live a Happier Life

Live a Happier Life-Individual Therapy Scottsdale, Phoenix, and online throughout Arizona

Bad habits can be hard to kick, but it’s never too late to update your lifestyle and turn things around. Read below to learn how to break 3 common bad habits and live a happier life:

1. Making excuses

Most of us make dozens of excuses every day—often without even realizing it. Whether we are afraid of being reprimanded or simply looking for something else to blame our problems on, an excuse can seem like a great short-term solution to a sticky situation. In reality, however, people who consistently make excuses seem less trustworthy and lead more complicated lives. Whether you are making excuses to yourself or to others, it is possible to stop!

In order to stop making excuses to yourself, you must first prioritize and decide which things are worth making time for. Make realistic goals and to-do lists that can actually be completed and plan out the steps you need to take to finish the tasks. Rearrange your schedule, stop procrastinating, and get started! If you have difficulty committing to responsibilities, try having a friend or family member keep you accountable by checking up on your progress each evening.

No one wants to listen to, work with, or be around someone who is always making excuses. If you constantly place blame on others, it’s time to step up and take responsibility for your actions. Be accountable for things that go wrong that were your fault—and accept the consequences that follow. You cannot control every event that happens in life, but you can own up to the choices you make.

2. Complaining

Complaining is one of the fastest ways to turn people off and wind up alone. By breaking the habit of constantly complaining, you will free yourself (and the people who spend time around you) from a lifetime of misery. When bad things happen, it is okay to be upset and to talk about it, but incessant complaining and self-pity come across as whiny and unpleasant.

The key to ending complaining is to stop your thoughts in their tracks. Even if your mind is swirling with negative commentary, you have control over which thoughts you share with others. Every time you are about to say something negative, ask yourself, “How will this comment affect the conversation, and overall mood, of the people I am interacting with?” Refrain from sharing more than one or two negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones whenever possible. It is okay to vent to a trusted friend, loved one, or therapist when the time is appropriate—but not every single time you are with other people.

When you complain about something, it usually catastrophizes the situation and makes things seem worse than they actually are. You can reduce complaints, and help your mind actually believe the positive, by practicing what you think. Little thoughts like, “This isn’t really that bad” and “It’s not worth getting upset over” will help increase your positive thinking and make it easier for you to see the silver lining in life.

3. Being a slave to technology

The conveniences provided by modern technology are a huge blessing, but we can quickly lose control and become too reliant on our smartphones, computers, and tablets. When our lives become overrun with digital devices, they lose meaning and purpose. Learning to say “no” to technology is not easy, but it is both possible and necessary. Each day, try to:

  • Limit the number of times you check your email and social media platforms to the single digits.
  • Have more face-to-face conversations than screen-to-screen conversations.
  • Silence your phone during family meals and other get-togethers.
  • Allow non-urgent phone calls to go to voicemail and actually focus on the task at hand.
  • Refrain from looking at any screens at least one hour prior to going to bed.

Remember, technology is there to improve your life—not overtake it.

Time to Get Help!

A man sits with a clipboard while across from another person. This could represent the support an anxiety therapist in Arcadia, AZ can offer. Learn more about anxiety treatment in Phoenix, AZ and overcoming anxiety symptoms in Arcadia, AZ. If you are ready to live a happier life our therapists also utilize evidence-based treatment models like EMDR, EFT, and ACT.  ACT stands for Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and uses strategies of acceptance and mindfulness, along with commitment and behavior change.

Begin Working with An Individual Therapist in Phoenix, Scottsdale, and online in all of AZ

If you are ready to start living a happier life then please consider anxiety therapy through Crossroads Phoenix and Scottsdale Counseling Centers. Our Relationship Centers are located throughout the valley with counseling centers located in Phoenix, AnthemScottsdale and throughout all of Arizona with online counseling.  You can start your therapy journey by following these steps:

  1. Contact Crossroads Counseling for a complimentary 20-minute phone consult
  2. Meet with a caring therapist
  3. Live the life you want!

Feel free to learn more about our practice by visiting our about pageFAQ, and blog, or read more about our staff members to start finding your best therapeutic fit! or, call us at 623-680-3486, text 623-688-5115, or email info@crossroadsfcc.com for more information!

Also, please check our counseling video below…