The Most Common Bad Habits
As per America’s Health Rankings, 72% of Americans acknowledge having at least one detrimental habit. Common unhealthy behaviors reported include smoking, obesity due to poor eating habits, lack of physical activity, excessive drinking, and inadequate sleep.
The Neurological Reason Behind Your Bad Habits
The human brain operates based on triggers and behaviors. When an action elicits a positive or negative response, the brain forms an association that, over time, develops into a habit. For example, consuming sugary food may trigger feelings of happiness and stress relief, prompting the brain to encourage similar eating habits during periods of anxiety.
The bad habit loop comprises three components: Trigger, Behavior, and Reward. For instance, when experiencing fatigue and mental fogginess prompts drinking coffee, the brain interprets physical tiredness as a trigger for craving caffeine. Over time, this develops into an addiction because the reward is an energy boost.
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How to Break Free from Your Unhealthy Lifestyle
In his TED Talk, psychiatrist Judson Brewer outlines a method for breaking bad habits using fundamental cognitive control. Dr. Brewer suggests that quitting unhealthy behaviors is achievable through curiosity and mindfulness. By closely observing your impulsive habits and examining how they truly affect you and why, you can detach yourself from the actions and view them through a lens of curiosity as if studying yourself. Over time, this simple practice provides valuable insight into your bad habits, making it easier to quit them.
One of Dr. Brewer’s patients had attempted to quit smoking unsuccessfully for several years. However, upon trying Brewer’s method, she noticed a reduction in her attraction to cigarettes. This change occurred as she became more mindful of the taste and smell of cigarettes, something she had never truly noticed before.
To get over your bad habits, study them. Understand their purpose and the extent of their influence over you.
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Expose Your Bad Habits with a Brutally Honest Quiz
Are you interested in identifying your bad habits? Take the following quiz comprising 14 relatable yet revealing questions to uncover the answer. We’ve analyzed recent data on the most prevalent unhealthy behaviors among Americans to help you discover your genuine toxic or harmful actions.
