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Have you ever wondered why some health habits seem so difficult to maintain while others become almost automatic? The answer lies in understanding how our brain creates and maintains habits.
Think of habits as your brain’s autopilot system – they’re behaviours that have become automatic through repetition. Just as your spine creates pathways for nerve signals, your brain creates pathways for behaviours that help you navigate daily life with less mental effort.
Recent research in behavioural science has revealed four simple but powerful laws that govern how habits form and stick. Understanding these laws can help you create lasting changes in your health routines.
Your brain needs clear signals to trigger healthy behaviours. Instead of a vague goal like “I should exercise more,” create specific cues in your environment.
Place your workout clothes beside your bed for morning exercise, or keep a water bottle on your desk for regular hydration.
Your brain runs on a reward system. The more attractive a habit appears, the more likely you are to follow through.
Pair activities you need to do with ones you want to do. For example, only listen to your favourite podcast while stretching, or schedule your chiropractic adjustment before meeting a friend for coffee.
The easier a habit is to perform, the more likely it will stick. Start with small, manageable steps.
Rather than committing to an hour of exercise, begin with five minutes of movement. Instead of overhauling your entire diet, start by adding one vegetable to your daily meals.
Your brain learns from immediate rewards. Create small celebrations for maintaining healthy habits.
Track your consistency with a habit tracker, or reward yourself with a relaxing activity after completing your exercises or stretches.
Just as your spine needs proper alignment for optimal function, your daily habits need proper structure to support your health goals.
When you align your habits with these four laws, you make it easier for your brain to choose behaviours that enhance your wellbeing.
Remember, lasting health improvements don’t come from massive changes but from small, consistent actions that compound over time.
Your habits shape your health, and your health shapes your life. Just as chiropractic care helps optimise your nervous system’s function, these habit-forming principles help optimise your daily choices for better health and wellbeing.
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