Yeah...you know, bad habits can be very addictive and difficult to stop. Probably because of how they easily blend-in into our lives to become part of it, since most times we don't really need to put in any effort to develop them. They just come naturally, a passive process. Unlike when you want to avoid or stop them completely, here you have to put in discipline with conscious effort, which is an active process, and hence could be difficult. I think when it comes to bad habits, like addictions, prevention is better than cure too.

Some of these things may not be bad in themselves, or generally accepted as bad habits, but considering context or the situation surrounding such actions or inactions, you'll discover that at that point in time, they become bad habits. Also when things are overdone or done out of proportion, most times though ordinary good, become bad habits. Like eating too much, drinking too much, etc. Even doing the right thing at the wrong time (as in procrastination) or the wrong thing at the right time.

As a student, due to the age we are in - information and technology, I had to always be with my phone. Online or offline, but mostly online. Either to get information regarding my lecture schedule, or information that will help me understand what I'm studying at the time. But I discovered that most times I tend to delve into other things outside studies, during the time I was supposed to be studying. Like replying those text messages from friends, checking out the pop-ups, notifications and all. Before I know what's happening, I become tired without having read anything. But here is the interesting thing, it was slowly becoming a habit, and I knew that if I continued that way, it would become more difficult for me to change.

So I immediately started putting in specific and intentional measures to combat it. Some times I put my phone on DND for the number of hours I wanted to study, after which I go to checkout the messages and reply, this is supposed to be my break time. I also minimized using soft copy materials, and increased the number of hard copy texts I had.

Important thing is discovering these bad habits in time, and recognising them as bad habits. Then be intentional about putting in strong measures and road-blocks to contain and prevent them from escalating. No one is immune to the menace bad habits can cause.