Habits are actions that we perform automatically, without much conscious thought or effort. They can be beneficial, such as brushing our teeth every morning, or harmful, such as smoking or overeating. But how do habits form in the first place? And how can we change them if we want to?
The Habit Loop
According to research on habit formation, habits consist of three components: a cue, a routine, and a reward. This is called the habit loop.
- The cue is the trigger that tells our brain to go into automatic mode and initiate a behavior. It can be something external, such as a time of day, an activity, or a location; or something internal, such as an emotion, a thought, or a physical sensation.
- The routine is the behavior itself, which can be physical, mental, or emotional. It is what we do when we encounter the cue.
- The reward is the outcome that follows the behavior. It can be something tangible, such as money or food; or something intangible, such as praise or satisfaction. The reward reinforces the behavior and makes us want to repeat it in the future.
For example, let’s say you have a habit of checking your phone every time you hear a notification sound. In this case:
- The cue is the notification sound.
- The routine is checking your phone.
- The reward is seeing who messaged you and feeling connected.
The more you repeat this habit loop, the stronger it becomes. Your brain learns to associate the cue with the reward and creates a neural pathway that makes it easier to perform the behavior automatically.
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How to Change Habits
If you want to change an existing habit or create a new one, you need to understand and manipulate your habit loop.
To change an existing habit:
- Identify the cue that triggers your unwanted behavior. You can do this by paying attention to what happens right before you engage in your habit. Is it a certain time of day? A specific place? A particular person? A mood?
- Identify the reward that reinforces your unwanted behavior. You can do this by experimenting with different rewards and seeing what satisfies your craving. Is it physical pleasure? Emotional relief? Social approval?
- Replace the routine with a new one that provides a similar reward but is more aligned with your goals. You can do this by brainstorming alternative behaviors that can satisfy your needs without harming yourself or others.
For example, if you want to stop checking your phone so often:
- The cue might be boredom.
- The reward might be stimulation.
- The new routine might be reading a book instead of checking your phone.
To create a new habit:
- Choose a cue that will remind you to perform your desired behavior. You can do this by picking something that already happens regularly in your life and using it as an anchor for your new habit. For example: after I wake up (cue), I will meditate (routine).
- Choose a reward that will motivate you to perform your desired behavior. You can do this by selecting something that you enjoy and value and giving it to yourself after completing your new habit. For example: after I meditate (routine), I will have breakfast (reward).
- Repeat the habit loop until it becomes automatic. You can do this by being consistent and persistent with your new behavior until it becomes part of your identity.
Habits are powerful forces that shape our lives for better or worse. By understanding how they work and how we can change them, we can take control of our actions and achieve our goals more effectively.