Most of us have at least one vice; something that is less than ideal for our health or well being. Sometimes, those vices are mostly harmless, but on occasion, they can be at risk of getting more serious and causing us harm, either physically or in our personal lives.

If you have developed one or more vices that you think you would like to cut down on or even give up, then you need to know that it won’t always be easy, but it is totally possible to do so.

Below are some of the best tips we’ve found to help you cut down on your vices and lead a healthier, happier life going forward:

Admit you have a vice

You cannot hope to cut down on your vices if you do not first acknowledge that you have any vices. So, sit down and think about all the things you do. Work out which are good for you, which are not so great, and which are downright bad. Then work out which you would like to cut down on or eliminate.

Choose one vice to work on

Once you have done that, it is a good idea to pick out a single vice to focus on. If you try to change too much in your life too drastically at the same time, you will only set yourself up for failure. Spend 30 days working on one vice and when you have a good grip on it, you can think about adding another vice that you want to work on too.

Indulge in a higher quality version

This might sound counterintuitive at first glance, but if you are serious about cutting down on your vices, one of the easiest ways to do so is to swap it for a higher-quality version. How does this work? By still allowing yourself to indulge from time to time you do not feel nearly as deprived, and by choosing a higher quality version, you will be more satisfied.

This works with everything from switching cigarettes with the best tasting cigars you can find to swapping out cheap candy for high-quality dark chocolate. By upping the quality you can reduce the frequency and eventually quit altogether if you prefer, although there is nothing wrong with indulging in your vices now and again!

Swap with a healthy substitute

Something else that can work is swapping your unhealthy vice for a healthy substitute. So, if you tend to spend your evening watching Netflix and drinking beer, try joining the gym instead. This will get you out of the house so you will be less tempted to indulge in one beer too many.

Obviously, this is more effective if you choose a healthy swap that you actively enjoy; if you hate the gym then it will only be a matter of time before you go back to your old ways, so don’t just do what you think you should not choose a healthy swap that you know you can sustain.

Buddy up

Cutting down on indulgences like smoking, drinking, and junk food can be surprisingly difficult but one thing that can really help is knowing you are not alone. So, if you have a friend or family member who you know has the same vice, why not enlist them to work on cutting down with you.

This is a great way of doing it because you can support each other with the struggles, but also because you will have someone to compete with! You won’t want to be the first one to give in and eat the chocolate cake or drink the glass of wine, which will help with your resolve significantly.

If you don’t know anyone in person who is looking to ditch an unhealthy habit or vice, then you might be able to find someone online who is willing to buddy up with you instead.

Talk to a therapist

If you are really struggling to overcome your vices, and especially if they are particularly problematic issues like binge drinking or drug use, then it may be a good idea to talk to a therapist or someone else who is qualified in helping people just like you.

Sometimes, talking to friends and family is enough to support you in your journey, but they are not always the people best placed to understand, and if that is the case, a good counselor can make all the difference.

If you want it enough and you are willing to put the effort in, you can conquer your vices, so what are you waiting for?