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Understand the brain's role in habits from "summary" of Rewire by Richard O'Connor
To understand why we fall into habits, we need to delve into the inner workings of our brain. Our brain is a complex organ that is constantly seeking ways to conserve energy. It does this by turning repeated behaviors into automatic habits, which require less cognitive effort to perform. When we engage in a behavior repeatedly, our brain creates neural pathways that make it easier for us to repeat that behavior in the future. These neural pathways are like well-worn paths in a forest - the more we walk along a certain path, the easier it becomes to follow that same route. Over time, these habits become deeply ingrained in our brain, making them difficult to break. This is why we often find ourselves mindlessly engaging in habits, even when we know they are harmful or unproductive. Furthermore, our brain is wired to seek out pleasure and avoid pain. When we engage in a habit that provides us with pleasure, such as eating our favorite comfort food or scrolling through social media, our brain releases dopamine - a neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure. This dopamine release reinforces the habit, making it even more difficult to break. On the other hand, when we try to break a habit, our brain perceives it as a threat to our well-being. This triggers a stress response in the brain, leading to feelings of anxiety and discomfort. To cope with this stress, our brain urges us to revert back to our old habits, as they provide a sense of comfort and familiarity. In order to break free from harmful habits, we need to rewire our brain by creating new neural pathways. This involves consciously choosing to engage in different behaviors that serve as healthier alternatives to our old habits. By repeatedly practicing these new behaviors, we can weaken the old neural pathways associated with our harmful habits and strengthen the new pathways that lead to positive change. By understanding the brain's role in habits, we can gain insight into why we struggle to break free from certain behaviors. Armed with this knowledge, we can take proactive steps to rewire our brain and pave the way for lasting change.
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