Habits

What are Habits?
Once an action is repeated a number of times and started happening subconsciously, it becomes a habit. It is considered that human’s nature is alike; it is their habits that make them different.

It is evident that acquired habits become traits of human beings and he begins to be characterized by those traits. We can think of people who have peculiar ways of walking, speaking, talking etc. Most of such people are unaware of these particular ways of theirs, even ones that are quite pronounced and easy for all to see. While this lack of awareness may seem like a blessing - relieving them of something to worry or feel embarrassed about - it also ensures that the habits will persist. And the harmful tensions and pressure they're unconsciously generating in their body can eventually lead to pain and even serious injury in the later part of their life.

How are the Habits Formed?

Habits forming behaviour is linked with “basal ganglia” a part of the brain which is also responsible for the development of emotions, memories and pattern recognition. It turns out that every habit starts with a psychological pattern called a "habit loop, a three-part process.

First, there's a cue or trigger, that tells your brain to go into automatic mode and let the behaviour unfold. Then there's the routine, which is the behaviour itself and the third one is the reward: something that our brain likes, that helps it remember the "habit loop" in the future.

Types of Habits

Habits can well be classified into two different categories i.e

• Good habits and
• Bad habits

Like fire, habits are excellent servants but can be very dangerous masters too. At the time they are quite necessary to get through life without thinking about every little detail of our lives. But it is not so with the bad habit. And unfortunately, it has been noticed that bad habits are acquired more easily than the good ones. It is because of the established fact that the human mind has an inclination towards the vice.

It has been observed that those children, who have a habit of torturing animals and insects during their early life, grow up to be a potential threat to the lives of other human being too.

This human tendency is the biggest source of a number of established evils - smoking, drug abuse, stealing etc. to name a few - in the society. Some studies have shown that smoking adopted in childhood can cause irreversible damage to the lungs and the people are unable to shed this habit once acquired in their childhood.

Some children also develop the habit of stealing and lying and soon these habits become a distinct trait in them. Once established as liars it becomes tough to get rid of the tag even if try to rectify their habit by speaking the truth.   

How to Shed Bad Habits?

People, more particularly children, and teenagers should try to understand that the vices which are enjoyed by them away from the glare of the public and parents are harmful to their future and career. Children should always keep in mind that friends who initiate them into a bad habit are not their friends. In fact, they should try to get those fellows out of the bad habits instead of following them to that shady lifestyle.

Children should always keep in mind that it is better to be alone than to be in the company of children inclined towards these vices.

How to Cultivate Good Habits?

It is a bitter truth that good habits are difficult to cultivate but once cultivated form the identity of the person. To be on this side of the line the person should be strong-willed and determined to withstand all temptations.

He should be mentally strong enough to say an emphatic no to the temptations of all vices like lying, cheating, drug abuse, alcohol, and others.

To be on the right track one should be with the right persons/friends. One should cultivate friendships with the right kind of people as it also adds up to one’s own personality. Once got good friends, half the battle is won against all kind of vices prevalent in the society as they remain with the person for his entire lifespan.

It is well said that you cannot be on both the sides of the line. Thus one should cultivate some essential good habits to be away from the potential bad habits coming in the way every now and then. There are several such habits that could be cultivated when one is young. Like:

• one should inculcate the habit of going to sleep early and rising early in the morning. The brain is supposed to be fresh to start a new day’s work. Thus the students are advised to rise up early in the morning. Getting up early has several advantages and, hence, it should be developed as a habit in one’s life.
• Reading is another good habit which should be cultivated in the children from the very early stage. Parents can play an effective role in cultivating this habit in their children by narrating stories to their children before going to them. This will not only help build them strong personality but also help them build their vocabulary and interest in reading and listening. Once into the habit, they will start reading a good book by them self whenever free and this will help them remain aloof of enticing vices prevalent in the society.
• Indulging in the hobby, when at leisure can also be helpful to remain away from bad habits.  A hobby at leisure is known to relax the mind and soothes the brain. It makes him feel relaxed and fresh (something people feel after having a puff of Cigarette) and one feels to start his routine job with full vigour. Thus developing a hobby can help a long way to keep away from other habits which otherwise can prove dangerous to the health of human beings.
• Grownups can form the habit of teaming up with some Non-Governmental Organisation. By making it a habit to visit one of the NGO’s in the city and working for the underprivileged, he would achieve a sense of pride and satisfaction.

So one should not have any excuse for cultivating bad habits neither should he blame anybody else for his shortcoming. It is rightly said that where there is will, there is a way. The person should keep in mind that good habits will help him improve his mental faculty and his physical well being. Whereas bad habits will definitely breed frustration and ignominy. Thus it is important that man should develop only good habits for his own well being and that of the society.