HEALTH

Tips on breaking bad habits

With New Year’s resolutions still fresh, here’s some advice from therapists on putting bad habits to rest:

Make a list. Write down all of the reasons why you want to stop a certain behavior — how it’s hurting you and why getting rid of it will help. Look at that list often.

Become more aware. Many habits are hard to break because they are unconscious impulses. Turn them into choices instead: Make a written or mental note every time you do something unwanted such as biting your nails or yelling at your kids.

Substitute other activities. It’s easier to replace a bad habit than stop it. If you lose your temper often, for example, practice deep breathing or go for a walk.

Break it down. Think of the steps needed to shed a habit and tackle them one at a time. To stay motivated, keep your goals simple and realistic.

Reward yourself. Before you take on a bad habit, decide what you’ll do to celebrate with every baby step you complete.

Remove temptations. If you overeat, keep junk food out of your house. If you crave cigarettes with coffee, switch to tea — and avoid smoky bars or friends who light up.

Be patient. Bad habits develop over years, so you likely won’t be able to ditch them immediately. The average smoker, in fact, tries to quit about seven times before being successful.

Find support. Tell family and friends about your goal. If there’s a local or online support group for people with your problem, join it.

Get help for addictions. Some habits, particularly substance abuse and smoking, involve a real physical or emotional dependency and may require professional attention.

BEAUTY

For that sobering experience

Quick fixes for the “morning-after uglies” with puffy eyes and dark under-eye circles don’t have to involve high-priced prescription medicines. An earlier bedtime and fewer alcoholic drinks are the obvious, quick and inexpensive remedies. But if you’re determined to party, look no further than your kitchen and bathroom for cheap and easy ways to soothe your hung-over face.

Puffy eyes. Relax for five minutes with slices of cold cucumber or cotton balls soaked in cold milk on your eyelids.

Raccoon eyes. Relax for another five minutes with cold, moist tea bags on those dark under-eye circles.

Dry skin. Add a few drops of extra-virgin olive oil to your moisturizer. Apply liberally to your face while your skin is still slightly damp from your shower.

Also be sure to exfoliate once a week. Crush three teaspoons of raw oats (not the pre-cooked type) then mix into a paste with one teaspoon honey, 1/4 teaspoon apple cider vinegar and one drop tea tree oil. Apply to clean, damp face with gentle, circular movements, avoiding the eye area. Leave on 15 minutes, then rinse well with tepid water and pat dry.

Red, blotchy skin. To cause the redness to fade for several hours, spritz a little Afrin decongestant nose spray (or similar spray) onto the affected area.

Zits. Soak a cotton ball in a mixture of about 1/2 teaspoon salt and one cup water. Press onto the blemishes for a couple of minutes. This will help dry the pimples, but only time (and less partying) will help solve the problem. And do not squeeze the zit or it may become infected — and an even bigger eyesore.

HOME

Feng shui, by the book

If your adherence to feng-shui principles has left your home looking like an Asian supermarket, you may have gone astray somehow.

But not all is lost, my little grasshoppers. The timing to improve is perfect.

Joey Yap’s Pure Feng Shui: Bring Abundance to Your Home, Happiness to Your Relationships, and Success to Your Career (Cico Books; $19.95; paperback) clears up many widely held misconceptions about the practice.

Yap starts by describing pure feng shui, which he says deals with the power of nature — not the power of objects.

Feng shui basics, which include using a compass, time-sensitive feng shui, flying star, Chinese astrology and face reading, are explained.

Chapters include classical feng shui how-tos; wealth; career matters; relationships; health, vitality and rejuvenation.