

The Science of Making & Breaking Habits
84 snips Jun 18, 2025
Dive into the intriguing science behind habit formation and change! Discover the powerful role of cues, routines, and rewards in shaping your daily actions. Learn effective strategies like habit stacking and the two-minute rule to make positive changes stick. Small steps are key, and celebrating victories boosts motivation. Uncover how the brain’s neurology impacts your choices and behaviors, and explore practical tips for building better habits in an engaging way!
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Habits as Brain Energy Savers
- Habits are neural shortcuts stored in the basal ganglia that automate repetitive behaviors.
- This automation helps the brain save energy, as it consumes 20% of daily energy despite being only 2% of body weight.
Three-Step Habit Loop
- Habits follow a three-step loop: cue, routine, and reward.
- The brain repeats behaviors when a cue triggers a routine that leads to a rewarding feeling, reinforcing the habit loop.
Anxiety Triggers Social Media
- Feeling anxious can cue scrolling social media, which rewards distraction and thus reinforces the habit.
- This cycle is a major reason many get addicted to their phones and social media.