Habit Breaking Strategy

Willingness to change must be at the maximum level; conditional or partial willingness is insufficient to break a bad habit. The discomfort experienced when resisting cravings is a real physical withdrawal response from downregulated receptors, not genuine hunger. The environment must be restructured to make the old habit difficult to perform, including removing trigger foods from the home. Acknowledging what a bad habit provides — pleasure, relaxation, fulfillment — enables a person to find healthier ways to achieve those same outcomes.