Hello empowered women!  🌟

Ever found forming some habits like scrolling Instagram a breeze but embracing that morning workout elusive?

Let's embark on a delightful journey into habit formation where self-discovery intertwines with science! 

Unraveling the Science of Habits 

Habits are our second nature, routines so embedded we don’t give them a second thought. Let's demystify the habit loop:

The Cue 🌿

The cue is the initial trigger that sets off the habit loop. It's the stimulus from our environment that signals our brain to initiate a particular behavior. Cues can be:

• External: Such as a notification sound on your phone, signaling you to check it.
• Internal: Such as a feeling of boredom or stress, which might make you bite your nails or snack.
• Temporal: Tied to a specific time of day, like feeling the urge to drink coffee in the morning.
• Environmental: Associated with a particular location or set of circumstances, like going to the kitchen and feeling the urge to open the fridge.

If we can alter or avoid certain cues, we can begin the process of changing the associated habit.

The Routine 🏃‍♀️

The routine is the core action or behavior that is executed in response to the cue. It's the manifestation of the habit itself. For many habits, the routine happens automatically or subconsciously, especially if it's a deeply ingrained habit. Key points about the routine include:

• Automaticity: Over time, as the habit forms, the brain begins to transition the control of this behavior from the prefrontal cortex (responsible for conscious decision-making) to the basal ganglia (related to patterns, memories, and emotions). This makes the behavior more automatic and less consciously directed.

• Complexity: Not all routines are simple. Some can be intricate sequences of actions. For example, the routine of getting ready for work might involve a series of steps like brushing teeth, choosing clothes, having breakfast, and so on.

• Variability: While the core routine might stay the same (like going for a jog), the specifics might vary (like the route taken for the jog or the duration).

• Replacement: One strategy for changing undesirable habits is to identify the cue and reward but deliberately change the routine. For instance, if you're trying to stop snacking when bored (cue), you might decide to take a short walk (new routine) to still give yourself a break (reward).

The Reward 🌺

The reward is the positive reinforcement that follows the routine, making the habit loop worth repeating. It's the brain's way of acknowledging and encoding a behavior as beneficial or pleasurable. Here's more on the reward:

• Neurochemical Basis: When you experience a reward, the brain releases dopamine, a neurotransmitter associated with pleasure, motivation, and reward. This chemical reinforcement is a big part of why habits stick.

• Immediate vs. Delayed Rewards: Immediate rewards (like the taste of chocolate) are often more powerful in reinforcing habits than delayed rewards (like the benefits of a healthy diet over time). This is why it's sometimes challenging to cultivate good habits that only pay off in the long run.

• Perceived Rewards: Not all rewards are tangible or immediate. Sometimes, the reward might be emotional or psychological. For instance, the act of cleaning might provide a sense of control and order.

• Shifting Rewards: To change habits, one tactic is to associate a new, more positive reward with a desired routine. For example, if someone is trying to establish a fitness routine, they might treat themselves to a favorite smoothie after a workout, making the experience more rewarding.

The Struggle of Breaking Old Habits 

The endeavor to break old habits is a challenge that many face, and understanding the intricacies of why it's so tough can be empowering. Let's dive deeper into the struggle of breaking old habits:

Neurological Pathways 🧠:

• Brain Wiring: When we repeat a behavior over and over, our brain creates a neural pathway for it. The more we engage in that behavior, the stronger and more defined that pathway becomes. Think of it as a trail in the woods—the more it's used, the clearer and more established it becomes.

• Efficiency of Familiarity: The brain, always looking for ways to conserve energy, prefers these established pathways because they're more efficient. This means the more you repeat a habit, the easier and more automatic it becomes for the brain to trigger it.

• Overcoming the Default: To break a habit, you're essentially trying to fade or override these well-trodden neural trails and create new ones. This is energy-intensive and can feel uncomfortable or challenging, especially at the start.

Emotional Attachment 🤗:

• Comfort and Security: Old habits, even the bad ones, provide a sense of familiarity and predictability. They can be a source of comfort, especially during times of stress or uncertainty.

• Identity and Self-Perception: Sometimes, our habits become so integrated into our lives that they become part of how we define ourselves. Breaking them might feel like losing or changing a piece of our identity.

• Fear of the Unknown: Exploring new behaviors and routines can invoke fear or anxiety. The known (even if it's undesirable) often feels safer than the unknown.

Environment and Triggers 🌎:

• Consistent Cues: Our environment is filled with cues that can trigger old habits. For example, a smoker might feel the urge to light up when they have a cup of coffee because the two actions have been paired repeatedly.

• Social Reinforcement: If those around you engage in or support a particular habit, breaking away from it can feel isolating or be met with resistance.

• Redesigning Environment: One effective strategy to break habits is to change the environment or remove the cues that trigger them. This might mean rearranging furniture, avoiding certain places, or even seeking a new circle of friends who align more with the habits you wish to cultivate.

Crafting New Habits 

Crafting new habits is akin to sculpting— it requires intention, precision, and patience. Let's delve into the nuances of forming new habits:

Clear Goals 🎯:

• Specificity: Having a precise goal (like running 30 minutes on specific days) eliminates ambiguity. It offers clarity about what needs to be done and reduces procrastination and the paralysis of choice.

• Measurability: A clear goal allows for tracking progress. When you can measure your progress, you get feedback on how well you're doing, which can be motivating.

• Achievability: Setting a realistic and achievable goal, especially at the beginning, ensures you don't set yourself up for failure. It's better to start with smaller, attainable goals and gradually escalate them as you build confidence.

Practice and Repetition 🔄:

• Consistency: Consistently repeating a behavior reinforces neural pathways in the brain, making the habit more automatic over time.

• Challenging Days: It's important to recognize that not all days will be perfect. There might be days when you don't feel like following through. However, pushing through these challenging days can significantly strengthen the habit formation process.

• Feedback Loop: Every time you practice the habit and experience the reward, it reinforces the desire to repeat the behavior, creating a positive feedback loop.

Habit Stacking 📚:

• Anchoring: Habit stacking involves anchoring a new habit to an existing one. The established habit serves as a natural cue for the new behavior. For instance, if you already have a habit of drinking a glass of water when you wake up, you could stack a new habit of doing five minutes of stretching immediately after.

• Simplicity: For habit stacking to work effectively, the new habit should be relatively simple. This ensures it doesn't become too overwhelming when paired with the existing habit.

• Compatibility: Ensure the habits you're stacking are compatible. Pairing a relaxing routine, like meditation, with a high-energy one, like an intense workout, might not work as well as pairing it with a calming activity like drinking herbal tea.

Positive Reinforcement 🌟:

• Reward System: After completing the new habit, giving yourself a small reward can boost motivation and increase the likelihood of repetition. This could be something you enjoy, like a favorite snack or a few minutes of leisure time.

• Recognition: Sometimes, simply acknowledging and celebrating the fact that you stuck to your new habit can be a powerful reward. Keeping a habit tracker where you tick off successful days can offer a visual representation of your consistency.

• Social Reinforcement: Sharing your goals with friends or family and receiving encouragement or even joining a group with similar goals can provide external positive reinforcement.

Sustaining Your New Habits 

Once your new habits are set, nurturing them is the next journey. Self-love and flexibility are your guides, and consistency is your companion. And, as you evolve, let your habits dance along and grow with you! 🌿