“Old habits die hard” as the saying goes. But sometimes, alas, we die before the habits do.   And many of us will know folk this has happened to.  

But I’m sure we’re also aware of people who have lived unwisely – because of overeating, heavy drinking or smoking – but who have turned things around and eradicated their bad habits when a health scare has frightened them sufficiently. 

But how much better it would be if we were to rid ourselves of old and harmful behavioural traits before they got to a critical stage. 

Last week, I viewed an episode of Surgeons: At the Edge of Life, in which specialists were removing a large cancer tumour as well as damaged pieces of lung from a man who had smoked for decades.

At one point, the patient murmured that anyone watching should realise that smoking was not “worth it”.

It was obvious that he could not expect a cure, but he was given the prospect of a few more years, thanks to the skill of the doctors.  

Without doubt, smoking is one bad habit everyone should try to give up.

Quite apart from the question of how long you might live, your wellness in general is also an issue. But like all habits we’ve had for ages, we have to really want to give up if we’re to succeed. In fact, we have to want to give up very much more than we want to continue. 

So, if you’re a smoker – what would make you stop? And what would be better in your life if you did?

Try to come up with helpful thoughts like: “I don’t want to be that person who reeks of smoke, who has a persistent cough and who can’t walk up the stairs without feeling breathless.”

Or visualise a time when the grandchildren you love might be going off to university or getting married. Is it likely you’ll live to see such occasions?

Can you give up in order to try? There’s lots of advice and help around if you will. 

There are, of course, other bad habits which sabotage our health. Two of them are “comfort” snacking and drinking. And these tend to increase when the going gets tough, and particularly when we find ourselves alone after divorce or the death of a partner. 

If you want to give them up, and I’m sure, deep down, you do, try reasoning with yourself alone the lines of: “Well, how comforting, actually, is this habit?” 

I’m sure you feel enjoyment as you rip open a bag of your favourite crisps or chocolate, or pour another glass of your favourite wine. But how long does the pleasure last? And is it actually making you comfortable?

Often when individuals examine the situation more closely, they realise that any comfort is fleeting, and doesn’t compensate for the feelings of guilt, or even loathing, they tend to have for themselves the next morning when the wine has given them a monster headache, or they start realising just how much they ate the night before. 

Some time back, I mentioned a technique that developed when I worked with persistent overeaters. A client came up with the idea of cleaning her teeth after her evening meal, and that helped her to resist eating later. Lots of people I’ve mentioned this to have adopted it, so perhaps you could too.

Also, it’s a good idea to distract yourself from eating or drinking – for example, you could try keeping your hands busy while watching TV by knitting or even doing the ironing.   

Finally, what about behaviour that may not endanger your life, but which really irritates you. Perhaps you avoid doing the washing till there’s nothing left to wear.

Maybe you’re always late for trains, or when meeting people, or you never settle bills till the last minute but then sometimes forget and have to pay interest. We all have foibles like this, but we’re not too old to stop them – and we can, if we focus on the benefits of dropping these bad habits.    

I’ve had a minor triumph myself recently as I’ve tackled my own ridiculous behaviour.  

I own several pairs of colourful Fit Flop trainers which I love. But for as long as I can remember, I’ve impatiently pulled them off my feet at the end of the day without undoing the laces.

This means, of course, that when I next want to wear them, I have to spend precious time undoing the double knots. And often I’m in a hurry and find it infuriating. 

So, I resolved to stop acting in this nonsensical way and I now undo my laces when I take my shoes off.  

As a consequence, they’re now always ready for when I need them. I just persuaded myself that my habit was idiotic and that I would enjoy the change if I made it. And I do.

Sometimes it doesn’t take much!