- Rob Lawrence
Breaking Bad Habits Made Simple: The Science Of How Habits Form And How To Change Them
Do you have a difficult time breaking bad habits? Are you tired of feeling like you’re on a hamster wheel, unable to change your behaviour, no matter how hard you try? If so, then this blog post is for you. Named "Breaking Bad Habits Made Simple: The Science of How Habits Form and How to Change Them", this post explores the underlying science behind habits and how you can develop strategies to change them.
Namaste
They say that one indication of insanity is repeatedly engaging in the same behaviour and expecting different outcomes. I'm willing to wager that we have all been guilty of this. I certainly have.
But why? Why do we find it so challenging to break free from the actions that we know are detrimental to us?
Well, that's precisely what we will explore together in this blog post. We will delve into how habits are formed, how we can identify them, and most importantly, what steps we can take to transform them.
So, if this topic piques your interest, this blog is just for you.
Understanding Habit Formation: The Science Behind Breaking Bad Habits
Breaking unhealthy habits can be challenging, but gaining insight into the science behind habit formation can assist us in making enduring positive changes.
Habits are developed within the brain through a process known as neuroplasticity (Gardner, Lally & Wardle, 2012). which refers to the brain's capacity to adapt and change over time. When we repeatedly engage in a particular behaviour, neural pathways in the brain start to form and strengthen, creating what is commonly referred to as a "habit loop." This loop consists of three key elements: a cue, a behaviour, and a reward (Gardner, Lally & Wardle, 2012).
To illustrate, let's consider the habit of smoking. The cue could be stress, the behaviour would be smoking a cigarette, and the reward may be a sense of relaxation or reduced anxiety.
To break free from an unhealthy habit, it is crucial to disrupt this habit loop by modifying one or more of its components.
For instance, you could attempt to identify and avoid triggers (the cues) that lead to smoking. Instead of smoking, you could replace the behaviour with a healthier alternative such as chewing gum or practicing deep breathing exercises. Additionally, finding alternative ways to cope with stress and anxiety that offer a similar reward to smoking, such as engaging in exercise or practising yoga, can be beneficial.
By combining an understanding of the psychology behind habit formation with the identification of cues, routines, and rewards, we can effectively work towards breaking free from unhealthy habits and fostering positive change within ourselves.
Breaking Bad Habits: How To Identify Destructive Behaviors
Getting rid of bad habits is not easy, but it's super important for a better life. Knowing what your bad habits are is the first step in breaking 'em. It helps you figure out why you do 'em and how to stop 'em.
Here are five crucial things to know about bad habits (Jager, Wander, 2003)
They're Tough to Kick: Bad habits can be like those things you just can't stop doing, man. They might give you a temporary high, but breaking free from 'em becomes a real challenge.
They Have Terrible Consequences: Bad habits can seriously mess up your life, dude. They can lead to all sorts of negative outcomes, like ruining relationships or affecting your health. So ditch 'em as soon as you can
Understanding the Root Cause: Getting to the bottom of why you engage in bad habits is key, bro. Once you understand the source, you can work towards addressing it and finding healthier alternatives.
Replacing with Good Habits: It's not just about quitting bad habits, man. It's also about replacing 'em with good ones. This can help fill the void and ensure you have more positive habits in your life.
It Takes Time and Effort: Breaking bad habits is a journey, dude. It won't happen overnight, but with dedication and effort, you can overcome 'em. Stay committed to the process, and you'll see progress.
Identifying Your Triggers: Spotting The Behaviors That Fuel Your Bad Habits
Knowing what makes us do our bad habits is pretty damn important (Jager, Wander, 2003)
These little things are called triggers and they can come in all shapes and sizes - it could be how you're feeling, what's going on around you, or even certain places.
Let's take smoking as an example. If your bad habit is smoking, the triggers for lighting up might be when you're enjoying a cup of coffee or sipping on some alcohol, when you're stressed out to the max, or when you're hanging out with your smoking buddies. Toss in a sprinkle of boredom, anxiety, or simply not having much to do, and boom - you've got yourself some cravings.
To catch those sneaky triggers try Asking yourself these questions: When do you usually do your bad habits? Is it when you feel a certain way or when something specific is going on? Do you notice any physical feelings that come with the urge to do the habit? Be honest with yourself and try to figure out as many triggers as you can.
Once you know your triggers, you can make a plan on how to deal with them.
Creating An Effective Plan: Proven Strategies For Habit Change And Building New Ones
So we've decided to change things. What now?
Well, it starts with commitment, dedication, determination, and a game plan....... et me share with you some game-changing strategies that have helped me make some lasting changes (Benjamin, Madelynne, Brown, Frank, James, Kyra, Nelli, Jennifer, Keller, Kwasnicka, Labudek, Marien, Masaryk, McCleary, Mullan, Neter, Orbell, Potthoff & Lally, 2023)
Pick the Right Habits: First things first, figure out which habits will align with your goals and values. Focus on the ones that will bring positive vibes to your life and help you achieve what you want.
Have a Game Plan: It's time to whip out that pen and paper and sketch a plan. Jot down how you're gonna create and stick to your brand new habits. Be as specific as you can.
Let's take it easy: Start off with some small, doable goals. We want to make sure we're setting ourselves up for success and building on those little wins as we go.
Keep it real: Let's set some targets that we can actually reach. We'll break down our habits into smaller milestones and keep track of how we're doing along the way.
Get into the groove: Make your new habit a part of your everyday routine. The more you do it, the more it'll become second nature. Let's make it a priority and get into the swing of things!
Keep Going: Forming a habit doesn't happen overnight, it takes dedication and perseverance. Don't let setbacks discourage you; instead, recommit and get back on track.
By sticking to these strategies, you can build positive habits that will lead you to success and make your life better. Just remember to start with small steps, create a plan, set achievable goals, establish a routine, find someone to keep you accountable, celebrate every win, and never give up.
Final Thoughts
If there was one thing I would like you to take away from this, it's the importance of breaking free from bad habits. We all have them, those patterns of behaviour that hold us back and keep us stuck in the same old routines......But the truth is, things don't have to stay this way. It's never too late to change and that power to transform our lives lies within each and every one of us.
What's your experience with breaking bad habits? Do you have any success stories, tips, or insights to share? Your comments and stories can inspire and help others who are on the same path.
leave a comment below and spread the word on your favourite social platforms! Together, we can inspire transformation and help others embark on their own journey to a healthier, happier life.
More More More
Harvard Health Publishing - One of the top schools in the world offers a library full of research on personal development.
Psychology Today - Provides easy-to-understand advice and guidance on all things related to mental wellness
James Clear - Give a personal reflection on how habits are made and how to change them.
References
Jager, Wander. (2003). Breaking ‘bad habits’: a dynamical perspective on habit formation and change.
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