Why Bad Habits are Detrimental to our Health

We all have bad habits that we know are not good for us, yet we continue to engage in them. Whether it’s smoking, eating unhealthy foods, excessive alcohol consumption, or leading a sedentary lifestyle, we know these behaviours are detrimental to our health, yet they persist. A study by the U.S Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) found that in the year 2000, avoidable behaviours were the underlying causes of nearly half of the deaths in the United States. Tobacco accounted for 435,000 deaths (18.1% of total US deaths), while lack of exercise and a poor diet caused 400,000 deaths (16.6%), and alcohol consumption caused 85,000 deaths (3.5%).

If we know these habits are so damaging to our health, why do we continue to indulge in them?

Why We Can’t Resist Bad Habits

There are a few reasons why we continue to engage in behaviours that we know are not good for us. The first reason is our need for comfort. Every action we take has a purpose behind it, even if we are not consciously aware of it, and the most common hidden purpose is comfort. Our brains are wired to be reward-based, and our “reward” is the feeling of comfort that triggers a release of dopamine or the “feel-good” hormone. This causes us to crave more of it, and we associate this good feeling with the bad habit.

Bad habits give us the temporary comfort we seek, and we essentially get to exist in our “safe zone.” For example, smoking a cigarette on a work break may cause your brain to associate that habit with freedom from work and relaxation, while drinking alcohol may be associated with letting yourself go and having a good time after a hard week. The thought of exercising and making an effort is overridden in the brain by the “easier” thought of sitting on the couch and watching your favourite TV program.

Another reason why we continue bad habits is that we rationalize our behaviours based on societal norms. If many people are doing the same thing, it must be okay for us to do it too. We tend to rationalize our unhealthy habits with in-the-moment justifications, such as “just one more won’t hurt” or “I’ll do better next week, I’ve just had a stressful day today”. These justifications tend to be driven by the guilt of knowing we’re not making the best decision in the long run. We also look for examples that validate our bad habit decisions, such as “my grandfather smoked every day and lived to be 90.” Our minds love to find evidence that backs up our decisions, whether good or bad.

The Consequences of Continuing Bad Habits

Most people know the consequences of bad habits. Warning labels are plastered on cigarette packets highlighting the risk of cancer. Governments run healthy-eating campaigns and encourage people to be more active through adverts and TV programs. However, what are the real long-term consequences of constant bad habits?

1. Cancers, diseases and cell damage: Bad habits can cause cell damage that leads to cancer and various diseases.

2. Unhappiness and depression: Bad habits can cause changes in your brain chemistry, leading to feelings of unhappiness and depression.

3. Negative physical well-being leading to pain or lethargy: Bad habits can lead to chronic pain and fatigue.

4. Increased physical problems in later life: Bad habits can lead to physical problems in later life, such as heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and arthritis.

It may take some time for these consequences to manifest, but they will catch up with us eventually.

How to Stop Bad Habits

It’s hard to stop habits that are so ingrained in our daily lives. Stress is often the main trigger for bad habits, and the solution lies in reprogramming our minds. Here are a few ways to stop bad habits:

1. Be mindful of what these habits are and how often we do them. What exactly triggers the habit? Is it an unconscious decision to do it? Question why you have developed this habit in the first place.

2. Make a commitment to yourself that you want to eliminate this bad habit. Now that you understand what may be triggering it, can you find something positive to replace it? For example, if you reach for chocolate after a hard day, can you find a healthier snack to reward yourself or reduce the amount of chocolate you consume? If stress is your trigger, try going for a run or doing something that releases dopamine in a positive way.

3. Be consistent. The key to forming new habits is consistency. Yes, it’s hard for a while, but your brain soon adapts to new ways of doing things until they feel natural to you. Turn your reward system into a way to celebrate sticking to your new positive habits.

Living a happier, more positive life starts with the habits we choose to form. Be mindful of which direction your habits are pointing and start changing your mindset to one of investment into your health and well-being. It’s not just for your future self, but also living in the moment in a positive and healthy way.