This is a sponsored article in partnership with THINK!
We all have bad habits; from snoozing our alarms daily, to drinking that one last cup of coffee...
Sure, most of them are harmless — and cause us more grief than anyone else. But occasionally, a bad habit can affect others, and even put them in danger. This is especially true when it comes to driving. Many of us haven’t had our licences for too long, and can feel overconfident when it comes to our environment and routes — and this is precisely when certain habits can take hold.
It may seem like nothing to go slightly above the speed limit when you’re rushing to see your mates, or to check a text, but these seemingly small risks could have devastating consequences — and not just for you.
So, to help us break our bad habits — big and small — we spoke to MBACP accredited psychotherapist, José Veiga, about how we can take small steps to change our behaviour.
Speaking about what we can do to catch ourselves when exhibiting a bad habit, Veiga explains that it's about identifying triggers. "The bad habit might happen at a specific time, for example, so changing your routine can help, especially if the habit in question is still relatively small in size.
"Awareness is key, because a lot of the time, habits — bad or otherwise — happen without us realising. We do them because they've become familiar to us. So bringing awareness to the fact that you're not happy with the habit is the first step, and that allows you to make choices about how you can change, or stop it completely.
When it comes to driving, especially, Veiga acknowledges that young drivers can become complacent. If you're very familiar with an area or driving down a quiet country road, many people can feel compelled to take what they class as a "calculated risk" — in these instances, the psychotherapist says, it's wise to be aware of the consequences.
"While I'm generally not a great fan of catastrophising, it can be helpful to remind yourself of what could happen if you're regularly speeding or being distracted in the car. In the worst-case scenario, it can have devastating consequences. So being judgemental of yourself can help you make small changes. If you really need to use your phone, you can find a safe place to pull over, and stop the car for five minutes."
It also helps to have supportive people around — especially those who drive with you regularly. Veiga points out that a housemate or a close friend can point out when you're speeding or attempting to use your phone, and put a stop to it.
Some drivers may think that the likelihood of a serious collision is incredibly low, and thus are more willing to creep over the speed limit. But as the psychotherapist stresses, the only payoff is that there might not be a collision — "but that only happens when you get away with it, and you can only ride that luck for so long."
So, how can we break our habits? The first step, Veiga explains, is to draw awareness to the habit, and focus on why you want to change. This will help you make the choices you need to alter your behaviour.
"And if you're finding it difficult, there's also the option of enlisting friends and family to support you. It's about realising that you don't need to do this on your own as well."
As we all should be aware, good mates will respect you for avoiding bad habits, and doing your utmost to keep yourself, and your loved ones safe.
If you would like to learn more about THINK! and find more advice on how to stay safe on the roads, click HERE.