Places Pointer: Habits
Make and break them
Pretty much everything you are, think, feel and do is a product of your habits.
Most people enjoy working out. It releases feel-good chemicals and contributes towards positive changes in many forms. But no matter how determined you might be, we can guarantee that everyone has off days. Some even fully swerve back into old ways that negatively impact them.
What if we told you that you can trick your brain into forming habits out of your goals as well as breaking old ones in a few simple steps?
Habits are formed through a process of cue – craving – response – reward.
We have rounded up how to utilise each of these processes to make your habit forming that little bit easier…
1. Find your reason.
Humans function on purpose, and those with a defined reason for achieving their goals are more likely to achieve them. Make your reason for doing something clear and remind yourself frequently.
2. Break down your goals.
Many studies into human behaviour have found that most people relapse and rebound because they set unrealistic goals. Before jumping straight in, break them down into palatable steps to minimise failure at the first hurdle.
3. Trigger the brain.
Reminding yourself in the form of a cue will eventually send your brain into autopilot overtime. Doing something like leaving out your gym kit at the end of you bed, setting the alarm early or sticking reminders in places you’ll see them will kick your brain into gear!
4. Rewrite old habits.
Research shows that replacing an old habit with a new one stops old patterns of behaviour. This means creating a new physical pathway in response to the cue which will eventually engrain the habit mentally, without thinking.
Ex. try placing your gym kit in place of your tv remote or ice cold water in place of the juice door.
5. Reward yourself.
Arguably the most important part of the habit pathway is reward. It incentivises our brain to repeat the action.
Reward yourself every single time you achieve your habit, spending time doing something you like, a treat or even a simple reminder of the intrinsic benefits.
Top tip: use our Journaling Pointer to keep a track of your progress and see the internal wins.