Habits, good and bad, are formed in the brain. Embedded in our midbrain is a group of brain cells known as basal ganglia. The basal ganglia’s job involves adopting new habits and turning them into more consistent behaviors. This part of your brain also deals with memory, pattern recognition, and motor skills deeply connected to different parts of the brain.
If you’re ready to improve some or all of the not-so health habits you’ve picked up over the years, you’ll need to retrain your brain to make better lifestyle choices. A health coach can help you streamline this process. After all, two heads are better than one.
How long does it take our brain to form a new habit?
The length of time it takes to form a new habit depends on who you ask. Historically, the most commonly quoted timeframe is 21 days; however, recent claims suggest that it may take at least 66 days to form a new habit.
Maxwell Maltz was a plastic surgeon passionate about helping others improve their self-image via surgery. In the 1960s, he wrote a book based on his observations that it took approximately 21 days, or three weeks, for his surgical patients to let go of their pre-surgical self-perceptions and acclimate to their new appearance. Since Dr. Maltz was the “founding father of self-help books”, people ran with the idea.
Sticking to new habits
However, new research shows that for a new habit to stick, it takes work and repetition, not just a set timeframe. Experts also suggest that it’s easier to start doing something new than break older, unhealthy habits. However, you must first break an old one to create a new response in your brain and ultimately form a new habit. How? Well, it’s often beneficial to have an alternative habit available to retrain your brain. For example, if your go-to snack during the day is potato chips, try replacing it (crowd it out) with a much healthier option like crunchy carrot sticks and hummus. Instead of eliminating your snack, replace it with a healthier option.
The amount of motivation you have to make changes is also a factor. If you want to live a healthier life and have made the conscious decision to do so, you’re more likely to adjust your behavior more quickly than others who are pressured into their choices.
Your mental and physical state also can impact the ‘stick-ability’ of a new habit. For example, if you’re used to something from childhood, such as falling asleep with the television on, it’s going to be more difficult for you to turn the tv off and fall asleep. However, if you have never tried yoga before, adding that to your daily routine may be much easier.
Sticking with your new habits is easier with a health coach
We all misstep in our health goals. A common misconception is that if you skip a day on your health journey, all hope is lost. Missing a day is not the end of your progress. Studies show progress is more about finding your ultimate goal and sticking to it long-term; missing a few days here and there doesn’t mean you failed.
New behaviors will become second nature as time goes on, but it helps to have a professional health coach to hold you accountable and keep you motivated. Your health coach can’t do the work for you but think of them as your mental workout buddy, guiding you down a healthier path in life.
Dr. Kelly is the coach you need.
Booking time with a health and wellness coach is a great place to start optimizing your health. In just six to twelve sessions, Dr. Kelly will help you develop a much clearer picture of what health and wellness means for you. Using proven and individualized tools, you will start to form new, healthy habits that begin to crowd out old ones that have not served you well. Multiple sessions provide the repetition and consistency needed to form these new habits. Making bold decisions now will get you on the track for optimal living. Are you ready?
Book your free 15 min consultation to get started.