Problem with bad habits
All of us have bad habits that we wish to change, whether it is biting fingernails or smoking, or late-night munching. Actually, 45% of our behaviors are actions that we repeat each day and have a tendency to do in a similar location. These are known as habits.
Habits are attributed to probably the most primitive structures of our mind, the Basal Ganglia, the same area that helps in managing the processes of breathing and swallowing.
In an experiment, a mouse was made to sit down behind a gate of a T-shaped maze and to the left, there was a chunk of chocolate. When the door clicks the mouse explores the maze, sniffing and scratching at the corners. First, it explored to the right after which to the left, finally discovering the chocolate. A scan of its basal ganglia confirmed that it is working furiously all through the entire process. Nonetheless, after a week of training, the mouse ran instantly in direction of the chocolate as soon as the gate clicks.
This time, there was little or no brain exercise as soon as the gate clicked, and the mind did not fire again to reach the chocolate. Our mind strives to reduce effort and distance, and this sort of automated mind behavior is known as “chunking.” Chunking aids in creating a brand new behavior sample in cells of the brain. It is like a task we do each day that we no longer have to actually think about it. Basically, the abilities that have been once tough to learn/grasp, however now it has become automated.
This habit formation is a three-step loop.
Step 1 – The cue for the mouse is the clicking of the gate;
Step 2 – The routine – Run through the maze
Step 3 – The reward, in this case, the chocolate.
Cue and reward ultimately intertwine, creating anticipation and cravings, one other important part of habits. As a result, if we go into an automated mode during a normal routine, our brain stops fully taking part in decision-making. Our habits automatically unfold each time there’s a cue. These habits are so entrenched even when the reward is not that good. Our habits overrule what we think is good for us.
To understand the habits in much more detail, I would like to recommend reading the ebook Atomic Habits By James Clear. In this ebook, James talks about several different methods in which a bad habit can be stopped and a good habit can be reinstated.
The Solution
So, how do we actually come out of this loop and stop a bad habit? Effectively, here’s a quick tip that may provide help to get out of any bad habit.
Add Friction to the bad habits
Suppose you have got a bad habit of watching an excessive amount of TV. So what you can do is, you possibly can remove the batteries of the TV remote. Now, the next time you’ll consider watching TV. Your mind will calculate the efforts you would need to take to watch the TV. This friction will assist your mind to decide to not undergo all that effort.
While this may seem to be a small tip. But, it is very efficient. Our mind always looks for a comfort zone and adding friction to bad habits actually forces our mind to not go after it because there is plenty of friction in the way.
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