While harmful to your well-being, self-destructive behaviors often develop as means of coping with your stress triggers and struggles. It can be helpful to acknowledge this and extend kindness to yourself as you seek to replace damaging behaviors with non-harming habits that will foster your physical, mental, and emotional health. Just as a tree sheds its leaves to prepare for new growth, you too can let go of what no longer serves you to create space for personal progress.

Often, self-destructive behaviors may actually be motivated by an urge to protect yourself. When addressing harmful behavior, honor the purposes of the behavior in your life, while also mindfully considering different habits that could promote your well-being more holistically. 

By reflecting on your responses to the questions above, you can identify the core need that your unhealthy behavior is attempting to fulfill. From there, explore alternative habits that directly address the need while also aligning with your values. 

You may have to experiment several times before you find the most effective replacement habit. Approach this self-betterment practice with an attitude of curiosity and non-judgment towards yourself and draw confidence from your courage to grow as a person. 

Therapy can provide an unbiased perspective on behaviors that may be compromising your physical, mental, and emotional health, while also offering professional guidance on replacing them with non-harming habits. At Thrive you’ll find compassionate clinicians ready to help you along your personal development journey. Reach out to us to learn more. 

Katherine’s areas of clinical focus include mood disorders (such as depression and anxiety), adjustment, identity, self-esteem, life transitions, relationships, as well as grief and loss. She’s passionate about facilitating growth, providing empathy, and forming genuine connections with clients. Katherine believes that we all have stories that shape us and make us who we are, and she feels honored to create a safe space where an individual’s story can be shared. She hopes that all clients feel seen and heard during sessions with her and that through the process of therapy they discover new insights, awareness, authenticity, and self-agency.

Katherine earned her Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor as well.

Quality time is one of Katherine’s top love languages, and when not at Thrive she can be found sharing that time with those she cares for, browsing bookstores, watching the same shows repeatedly on Netflix, exploring the outdoors, and traveling.

The post Craving Change? Learn To Let Go of Self-Destructive Behaviors and Replace Them With Healthy Habits first appeared on Thrive Wellness.