08/05/2024
You know somethingās bad for you, why canāt you just stop?
Habits can arise through repetition. They are a normal part of life, and are often helpful. We wake up every morning, shower, comb our hair or brush our teeth without being aware of it. We can drive along familiar routes on mental auto-pilot without really thinking about the directions. When behaviors become automatic, it gives us an advantage, because the brain does not have to use conscious thought to perform the activity. This frees up our brains to focus on different things.
Habits can also develop when good or enjoyable events trigger the brainās ārewardā centers. This can set up potentially harmful routines, such as overeating, smoking, drug or alcohol abuse, gambling and even compulsive use of computers and social media. The general machinery by which we build both kinds of habits are the same, whether itās a habit for overeating or a habit for getting to work without really thinking about the details. Both types of habits are based on the same types of brain mechanisms. In a sense, then, parts of our brains are working against us when we try to overcome bad habits. These routines can become hardwired in our brains.
The good news is, humans are not simply creatures of habit. We have many more brain regions to help us do whatās best for our health. Any regular act of self-control will gradually exercise your āmuscleā and make you stronger. You can also replace unhealthy behaviors with healthy ones. Try exercise, a favorite hobby or spending time with family. Prepare mentally. If you canāt avoid a tempting situation, prepare yourself in advance. Think about how you want to handle it and mentally practice what you plan. Take control of your life.