HABITS, OLD AND NEW. Many people wonder, how long does it take to form a new habit? From the perspective of neuroscience, a couple of minutes! All you need to do is repeat a new behavior (or thought process) several times, and a new memory begins to form. The more you practice your new habit, the more automatic it becomes. For it to fully operate unconsciously, it could happen in a day (particularly if the new habit gets you out of serious trouble) or it can take a lifetime. But theres a better question to ask, which helps explain why some new habits take longer to become dominant: How long does it take to eliminate an old habit? Answer: Forever. Why? Because once a memory is formed, it is structurally imprinted in the brain. Each time you engage in an activity that resembles that memory, it may get stimulated. You can, however, alter that old non-productive memory by recalling it as you deeply relax and literally embed into it your new perspective or behavior. But when you are under severe stress, old habits re-emerge. Solution: say oh well (a mindfulness technique created by Herb Benson at Harvard), relax, and reinforce your commitment to consciously apply your new strategy. PS: every time you recall an old memory, it changes. We rarely remember exactly what took place in the past, even if it feels utterly real. Experiment: take the rest of today and use eating utensils in you opposite hand. Its actually very good for your brain, helping you develop stronger cognitive skills. Youre forming a new memory, but whenever you feel stressed or hurried, youll unconsciously go back to using your familiar way of eating! And then theres the old pessimist in your brain saying why do I have to change...I liked doing things the old (ineffective) way! Now you know why you must practice new habits daily! -Mark Waldman, Praxis Now Neuro Coach
Posted on: Wed, 23 Apr 2014 13:00:00 +0000
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