“I’m just a creature of habit”
Is a common saying you may have even used yourself.
We spend time throughout our childhood and adolescence building habits, both consciously and subconsciously. We have habits as simple as brushing our teeth first thing in the morning, and the way we pack our lunch every day. But the one thing that we sometimes forget, is that the way we think can be a habit too!
Did you know it’s possible to change?
In fact, research is now beginning to indicate that changing your thought patterns around a particular habit is actually the first step toward breaking it- good or bad. Most people have heard the science behind “it takes 21 days to break a habit”. And while that is true, many scientists are starting to believe it takes 63-66 days to break that habit. Or, 3 cycles of 21 days according to Dr. Caroline Leaf. Much of this is contributed to Neuroplasticity,
“the change in neural pathways and synapses that occurs due to certain factors, like behavior, environment, or neural processes. The brain engages in synaptic pruning, deleting the neural connections that are no longer necessary or useful, and strengthening the ones that are.”
But when it comes to breaking a bad habit, or building a good one, what does neuroplasticity mean for you?
It means that you have the power to change what you think about!
With that in mind, here are a few tips to help you break a habit:
Spend your first 21 days declaring that you can.
The voice we trust more than any other in this world is our own. That is why it’s important for you to make these declarations out loud! Saying things like “I am strong and capable. I can do anything I put my mind to” will help you to believe that you actually can!
Spend the next 21 days making the choice.
Much of breaking a habit is looking ourselves in the mirror and deciding that we want to change. If we don’t want to- we simply won’t. It can be hard to face the consequences that our choices have on ourselves and others. So if you slip up, that’s okay! Be ready to pick up again. And that’s where making the original choice to change is valuable. Add this to your declarations, “I am an overcomer and I choose to be the best version of myself.”
Spend the last 21 days building a new habit.
Let’s take getting into shape for example. If you spend the first two cycles changing your mindset around your health like the steps above, when it comes time to put your thoughts into action it will stick! Spend the 3rd cycle of 21 days going to the gym, or being active, or talking with a trained professional from our team. When you show up consistently you’ll no longer be faced with the old negative thoughts, because you believe that you are strong and capable!
Who knew that breaking old habits and building new ones could be so easy? Remember, just keep going! And if you could ever benefit from talking with a member of our team, give us a call today.
