We’ve all been there. We’re stressed out, overwhelmed, and feeling like we’re about to snap. So what do we do? We turn to our old friend coping mechanisms to help us relax, forget our troubles, and numb out. Whether it’s drinking, smoking weed, watching porn, emotional eating, or any other type of distraction, these coping mechanisms might give us temporary relief. But in the long run, they only end up creating more stress and problems. If you’re tired of self-sabotaging behaviors holding you back, read on for some tips on how to stop them in their tracks.
Identify Your Triggers
The first step to stopping self-sabotaging behaviors is to identify your triggers. What stresses you out? What makes you feel overwhelmed? When do you most often turn to coping mechanisms? Once you know your triggers, you can start to develop healthy coping mechanisms that don’t involve numbing out or escaping your problems.
Stop to Pause Before You Act
The simplest way to eliminate your unwanted behaviors is to say STOP out loud, pause to reflect before you act. Just by giving yourself a few moments, you will feel more in control, and be able to assess the situation more clearly.
What Are You Thinking About?
Notice your thoughts. What is happening in your mind? Ask yourself if the thoughts are true, or could there be something else that is true? Our thoughts drive our feelings, and it’s from our feelings that we act. Master your thoughts and feelings BEFORE you act (just like above), you will be in control and able to shift your thoughts to something that better serves you.
Create a Support System
Creating a support system of friends or family members who understand your struggles and can offer encouragement and accountability can be key to helping you stay on track. When we feel like we’re alone in our struggle, it’s easy to give up and go back to old habits. But when we have people cheering us on, it’s much easier to keep going.
Conclusion
Self-sabotaging behaviors might provide temporary relief from stress and anxiety, but in the long run, they only end up making things worse. If you’re ready to break the cycle, start by identifying your triggers and developing healthy coping mechanisms. Then create a support system of friends or family who can encourage and motivate you. With these tools in place, you’ll be well on your way to putting self-sabotage in the rearview mirror for good.
For my favorite top 10 Tools to Self-Regulate without the need of self-sabotaging aids, click here. It’s a free guide that I know will help you.
Watch the YouTube Video on Self-Sabotage by clicking the photo below.
