Do we even realise what we are doing when we do things? Take something simple such as biting your nails...
This is one of my worse habits! I dont even realise I'm doing it half the time, but recently, in an attempt to stop, I embarked on a quest to find the root of my problem.
What I discovered was pretty groundbreaking (OK maybe not groundbreaking but rather interesting) ... My mum and her mum were both nail biters, and not trying to blame them, I probably picked it up as a child. This is also a good example of the influential role of parents and older siblings on children, who have open minds and are easily brainwashed!, in molding them into their future selves.
But anyways, back on topic ... I next went deeper into the problem, and became aware of when I chose to bite my nails... discovering that my nails decrease in size when my stress levels increase (Eg: during exams)... therefore to put this into scientific terms ... Nail size is inversely proportional to stress levels.
However not all habits are bad. When we look at habits more closely we see that they aren't all bad things, breathing is a habit (A deeply ingrained one!), and we couldn't survive without that! Habits are built up by our muscle memory, and we add to our list of 'Good Habits' everyday, adding things like riding a bike and driving a car to our subconscious so that we can concentrate better on other tasks in life. Our brains are so powerful and sophisticated that they can decipher through everyday actions and turn chains of events and patterns into habits, including both good and bad things that we do.
I see habits as something that are necessary in life. The science of habits is something that you have never considered before but is absolutely fascinating. Our bad habits have generally a motive for occurring, such as biting my nails gives me comfort in uncomfortable situations, when I am out of my comfort zone and need reassurance that something in my life is secure, it almost gives a sense of melancholy. Charles Duhigg, author of the book "The power of the habit" got into the habit of eating a cookie every afternoon. On analysing this habit, he realised that it was not that he craved a chocolate chip cookie, it was that he craved socialisation, the company of talking to his colleagues while munching. This was the habit's real reward.
So whatever your habit is, give it some thought and you might be surprised what you discover!
Have fun!
Vicky
But anyways, back on topic ... I next went deeper into the problem, and became aware of when I chose to bite my nails... discovering that my nails decrease in size when my stress levels increase (Eg: during exams)... therefore to put this into scientific terms ... Nail size is inversely proportional to stress levels.
However not all habits are bad. When we look at habits more closely we see that they aren't all bad things, breathing is a habit (A deeply ingrained one!), and we couldn't survive without that! Habits are built up by our muscle memory, and we add to our list of 'Good Habits' everyday, adding things like riding a bike and driving a car to our subconscious so that we can concentrate better on other tasks in life. Our brains are so powerful and sophisticated that they can decipher through everyday actions and turn chains of events and patterns into habits, including both good and bad things that we do.
I see habits as something that are necessary in life. The science of habits is something that you have never considered before but is absolutely fascinating. Our bad habits have generally a motive for occurring, such as biting my nails gives me comfort in uncomfortable situations, when I am out of my comfort zone and need reassurance that something in my life is secure, it almost gives a sense of melancholy. Charles Duhigg, author of the book "The power of the habit" got into the habit of eating a cookie every afternoon. On analysing this habit, he realised that it was not that he craved a chocolate chip cookie, it was that he craved socialisation, the company of talking to his colleagues while munching. This was the habit's real reward.
So whatever your habit is, give it some thought and you might be surprised what you discover!
Have fun!
Vicky
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