Bad habits stop your life and keep you away from your goals. Whether your bad habit is small such as smoking, it takes effort as well as time to break the cycle.
So why do we still do them? Is there anything you can do about it? We can't change our habits easily. We have to first replace them with other. Habits like nail biting, eating unwanted things, using excess of resources, smoking, continuing a same step, smiling too much, blinking the eyes, laughing too much, doing the works so slow may not be easy to change.
Most of the time, bad habits are simply a way of dealing with stress and free time. When you are in stress you may eat things you should not. From eating paper to nail it shows that how much tensed we are. The consumption of stones, chalks and dust is harmful.
But it should be controlled. You can learn by yourself. You can devise new ways to replace the bad habits. The ways can be eating vegetables, more water, reading books, going gym, small walk, converstion with people, cleaning of home etc. Sonmetimes the stress may lead long term diseases like thyroids and diabetes. These issues are tough to think about, if you're serious in your schedule then you have to saty away from useless activities. Is there something different - a fear or an old belief — that is holding you back.
You should recognise the reason for your habits. All of the habits that you have right now good or bad are in your life for a reason. Not all habits benefir you. Some harm to greter extent.
You should surround yourself with the you type people. Visualize yourself succeeding. You should not change yourself at any cost. You are best as you are. You can improve yourself but should not change.
Breaking bad habits takes time and effort. Most people who end up breaking bad habits try and fail multiple times before they make it work. If you will try hard and stay doing practise your bad habits may be changed.
You should have good company of friends. You can consult to councellors if your bad habits are as dangerous as gambling and stealing. You should eat healthy and so exercise. You can listen motivational lectures from many monks and speakers. You should be devoted to your aims.